Measuring tool for arthroscope

By designing an arthroscopic measuring tool that includes an outer cylinder, a measuring head, and a graduated ruler, the difficulty of measuring the distance between two points inside the body during arthroscopic surgery has been solved, achieving higher measurement accuracy and surgical efficiency.

CN224112781UActive Publication Date: 2026-04-14DABO MEDICAL TECH CO LTD +1
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
DABO MEDICAL TECH CO LTD
Filing Date
2025-02-08
Publication Date
2026-04-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In arthroscopic surgery, measuring the distance between two points in the body is difficult. Existing measurement methods are subjective, complex to operate, not precise enough, and lack rigor.

Method used

A measuring tool comprising an outer cylinder, a measuring head, a graduated ruler, and an elastic element was designed. It is inserted into the joint cavity through the arthroscopic sheath channel and utilizes the automatic reset function of the graduated ruler to achieve rapid measurement. Combined with the stable contact of the measuring head and the scale markings, the measurement accuracy and readability are improved.

Benefits of technology

It simplifies the measurement process, improves measurement accuracy and surgical efficiency, shortens surgical time, and has a compact structure that is easy to operate.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN224112781U_ABST
    Figure CN224112781U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model relates to a measuring tool for an arthroscope. The measuring tool comprises an outer cylinder and a measuring scale assembly arranged in the outer cylinder. A measuring head is arranged at one end of the outer cylinder, and an opening is formed in the measuring head; the measuring scale assembly comprises a scale flexible rule and an elastic piece, one end of the scale flexible rule is connected with the elastic piece, and the other end of the scale flexible rule penetrates through the opening to be connected with a pull ring. And the elastic piece is used for driving the scale flexible ruler to retract into the outer cylinder when the pull ring is released. The measuring tool has the advantages of being accurate in measurement, rapid in resetting, simple in operation step and capable of improving the measuring efficiency.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical device technology, specifically to a measuring tool for arthroscopy. Background Technology

[0002] In arthroscopic surgery, accurately measuring the distance between two points within the joint is a crucial step for surgeons in making diagnostic and treatment decisions. These measurements typically involve parameters such as the area of ​​cartilage tissue damage and the width of a rotator cuff tear. However, because arthroscopic surgery uses a non-open incision, the relatively small incision significantly limits the surgical field and the space for instrument operation, making the measurement of the distance between two points within the body particularly challenging.

[0003] Especially in rotator cuff repair surgery, the size of the tear is a crucial factor in selecting implant size and developing a surgical plan. However, current clinical measurements of rotator cuff tear size primarily rely on the surgeon's experience-based estimation or the use of simple measuring tools, which have significant limitations. On the one hand, the surgeon's experience-based estimation is often subjective, and judgments may vary considerably between different doctors. On the other hand, using simple measuring tools such as rulers or probes is difficult due to operational challenges and limited visibility, resulting in complex measurement procedures and often imprecise, unreliable results. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the difficulties in measuring the distance between two points within the body during arthroscopic surgery in existing technologies, as well as the problems of complex, inaccurate, and lacking rigor in the measurement procedures.

[0005] This application provides a measuring tool for arthroscopy, including an outer cylinder and a measuring ruler assembly disposed within the outer cylinder;

[0006] One end of the outer cylinder is provided with a measuring head, and the measuring head is provided with an opening;

[0007] The measuring ruler assembly includes a graduated flexible ruler and an elastic element. One end of the graduated flexible ruler is connected to the elastic element, and the other end passes through the opening and is connected to a pull ring. The elastic element is used to drive the graduated flexible ruler back into the outer cylinder when the pull ring is released.

[0008] Furthermore, the measuring head is fixedly mounted at one end of the outer cylinder.

[0009] Furthermore, the end of the measuring head is provided with a pin for auxiliary positioning.

[0010] Furthermore, the measuring head and the outer cylinder are connected by means of threaded connection, snap-fit ​​connection, interference fit or welding.

[0011] Furthermore, the end of the ejector pin is conical or triangular.

[0012] Furthermore, the measuring head is provided with a through hole, and a pin is provided in the through hole, allowing the graduated ruler to pass through the opening by bypassing the pin.

[0013] Furthermore, the graduated ruler is provided with graduation marks extending along its length.

[0014] Furthermore, the elastic element is a spring, one end of which is connected to the graduated ruler, and the other end is connected to the fixed structure inside the outer cylinder.

[0015] Furthermore, the outer cylinder has a top cover at the end away from the measuring head.

[0016] Furthermore, the graduated ruler is a measuring ruler made of stainless steel.

[0017] Implementing the embodiments of this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] This application's measuring tool uses a graduated flexible ruler for measurement, offering higher accuracy and readability. The measuring head's design ensures stable contact during measurement, further enhancing accuracy. Pulling the pull ring extends the ruler for measurement; releasing the ring automatically retracts the ruler into the outer cylinder 1, achieving rapid reset, simplifying operation, and improving surgical efficiency.

[0019] The measuring tool is compact and lightweight, and can be easily inserted into the joint cavity through the arthroscopic sheath. The use of this measuring tool helps to simplify the measurement steps during surgery and shorten the operation time. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the measuring tool according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the measuring tool according to an embodiment of this application from another direction;

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 AA-direction cross section;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the measurement state of the measuring tool according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the measuring tool in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] The corresponding labels in the figure are: outer cylinder 1, measuring head 2, opening 21, pin 22, through hole 23, pin 24, scale ruler 3, elastic element 4, pull ring 5, and top cover 6. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0028] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "top," and "bottom," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or regarding the vertical, perpendicular, or gravitational direction of the component itself. These terms are used only for the convenience of describing this application and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Terms such as “part” or “component” appearing herein can refer to a single part or a combination of multiple parts. Terms such as “installation,” “setup,” and “connection” appearing herein should be interpreted broadly; for example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can indicate that one component is directly attached to another component or that one component is attached to another component via an intermediate component; they can refer to the internal connection of two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances. A feature described in one embodiment herein may be applied alone or in combination with other features to another embodiment, unless that feature is not applicable in that other embodiment or is otherwise stated.

[0030] The following combination Figures 1-5This application provides a measurement tool for arthroscopy, including an outer cylinder 1 and a measuring ruler assembly disposed inside the outer cylinder 1; one end of the outer cylinder 1 is provided with a measuring head 2, and the measuring head 2 is provided with an opening 21.

[0031] The measuring ruler assembly includes a graduated flexible ruler 3 and an elastic element 4. One end of the graduated flexible ruler 3 is connected to the elastic element 4, and the other end passes through the opening 21 and is connected to the pull ring 5. The elastic element 4 is used to drive the graduated flexible ruler 3 to retract into the outer cylinder 1 when the pull ring 5 is released.

[0032] Specifically, such as Figure 1-3 As shown, the outer cylinder 1 is the main structure of the measuring tool, and its material can be medical-grade materials such as stainless steel or titanium alloy to ensure the durability and biocompatibility of the tool. One end of the outer cylinder 1 is provided with a measuring head 2, which has an opening 21 for extending and retracting the graduated ruler 3.

[0033] The measuring scale assembly is housed inside the outer cylinder 1 and includes a graduated flexible ruler 3 and an elastic element 4. One end of the graduated flexible ruler 3 is connected to the elastic element 4, and one end of the elastic element 4 is fixedly connected to the graduated flexible ruler 3, while the other end is connected to a fixed structure inside the outer cylinder 1. When the pull ring 5 is pulled, the graduated flexible ruler 3 extends out from the opening 21 under the action of the pulling force, and the elastic element 4 is stretched at the same time; when the pull ring 5 is released, the rebound force of the elastic element 4 drives the graduated flexible ruler 3 to retract into the outer cylinder 1, achieving rapid reset.

[0034] In this embodiment, the measuring tool is used in conjunction with an arthroscope. The measuring tool is inserted into the joint cavity through the arthroscope sheath channel, ensuring that the measuring head 2 faces the area to be measured. Under arthroscopic guidance, the initiation point of the tear is observed. The pin of the measuring head 2 is placed at the starting point of the area to be measured, ensuring close contact between the pin and the soft tissue. A grasping forceps or other auxiliary tool is inserted through another arthroscope channel and used to grasp the pull ring 5 and pull it outwards. The graduated ruler 3 extends from the opening 21 of the measuring head 2 under the pulling force, while the elastic element 4 is stretched. The surgeon continues to pull the graduated ruler 3 according to the arthroscopic view until it reaches the endpoint of the area to be measured. After the graduated ruler 3 reaches the measurement endpoint, the surgeon pauses pulling and takes a picture to record the measurement result. The scale value on the graduated ruler 3 is read; this value is the length of the measured area. After completing the measurement, the surgeon releases the pull ring 5, and the rebound force of the elastic element 4 drives the graduated ruler 3 to automatically retract into the outer cylinder 1. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the measurement state of the measuring tool in this embodiment.

[0035] In this embodiment, a graduated flexible ruler 3 is used for measurement, which offers higher measurement accuracy and readability. Simultaneously, the design of the measuring head 2 ensures stable contact during measurement, further improving accuracy. Pulling the pull ring 5 extends the graduated flexible ruler 3 for measurement; releasing the pull ring 5 automatically retracts the ruler 3 into the outer cylinder 1, achieving rapid reset, simplifying the operation, and improving surgical efficiency.

[0036] The measuring tool is compact and lightweight, and can be easily inserted into the joint cavity through the arthroscopic sheath. The use of this measuring tool helps to simplify the measurement steps during surgery and shorten the operation time.

[0037] Furthermore, the measuring head 2 is fixedly installed at one end of the outer cylinder 1, and is used to rest against the starting part to be measured inside the joint during measurement.

[0038] In some possible implementations, the measuring head 2 and the outer cylinder 1 are connected by a threaded connection, a snap-fit ​​connection, an interference fit, or welding. In one possible implementation, the measuring head 2 and the outer cylinder 1 are connected by a threaded connection. The outer side of the measuring head 2 is provided with a threaded groove, and the corresponding end of the outer cylinder 1 is provided with a matching threaded hole. By rotating the measuring head 2, it can be tightly fixed to the outer cylinder 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the outer wall of the measuring head 2 and the inner wall of the outer cylinder 1 are connected by an interference fit. The connection method is simple in structure, easy to operate, and the connection is firm and not easy to loosen, ensuring the stability and reliability of the measuring head 2 during the measurement process.

[0040] Furthermore, the end of the measuring head 2 is provided with a pin 22 for auxiliary positioning. The end of the pin 22 is conical or triangular pyramidal.

[0041] Specifically, the eschar 22 is used to help accurately locate the measurement starting point during arthroscopic surgery. The end of the eschar 22 is designed in a conical or triangular pyramid shape, which allows it to be easily inserted into the narrow space within the joint and to fit closely to the starting point during measurement, reducing measurement errors. The eschar 22 also has a guiding function, enabling the measuring head 2 to be positioned more smoothly and accurately to the site to be measured.

[0042] In another possible implementation, the ejector pin 22 can be an adjustable-length ejector pin. The length of the ejector pin 22 extending beyond the measuring head 2 can be easily adjusted by rotating or stretching the adjustment mechanism on it. This design allows the measuring head 2 to adapt to measurement needs at different depths and angles, further improving the flexibility and accuracy of the measurement.

[0043] In another possible implementation, the eschar 22 can be made of an elastic material, which allows the eschar 22 to provide a certain cushioning effect during measurement, reducing damage to the patient's tissues and improving the safety and comfort of the surgery. At the same time, its elastic deformation capability also allows the eschar 22 to better adapt to the complex terrain within the joint, improving the stability and accuracy of the measurement.

[0044] Furthermore, the measuring head 2 is provided with a through hole 23, and a pin 24 is provided inside the through hole 23. The graduated ruler 3 can pass through the opening 21, bypassing the pin 24. The fixing effect of the pin 24 makes the graduated ruler 3 less prone to shaking or shifting during the measurement process, thereby enhancing the stability of the measurement.

[0045] In another possible implementation, the measuring head 2 is provided with multiple through holes 23, and the position of the pin 24 can be adjusted. By adjusting the position of the pin 24, the unfolding direction and length of the scale ruler 3 can be flexibly changed to adapt to measurement needs at different angles and depths.

[0046] In another possible implementation, the pin 24 is made of an elastic material. The elastic pin 24 can adapt to the bending and stretching of the graduated ruler 3 to a certain extent, thus providing a smoother measurement experience. Furthermore, the elastic pin 24 can also reduce friction and wear generated when the graduated ruler 3 passes around the pin, extending the service life of the measuring tool.

[0047] Furthermore, the graduated ruler 3 has graduation marks extending along its length. The graduated ruler 3 is a measuring ruler made of stainless steel. The graduated ruler 3 is preferably made of stainless steel, which has the characteristics of corrosion resistance and non-deformation, and has clear graduation marks on it, making it easy to read the measurement results under arthroscopy.

[0048] Furthermore, the elastic element 4 is a spring, one end of which is connected to the graduated ruler 3, and the other end is connected to the fixed structure inside the outer cylinder 1. In some possible embodiments, the elastic element 4 can be made of a material with sufficient resilience, such as an elastic rope or rubber band.

[0049] Furthermore, a top cover 6 is provided at the end of the outer cylinder 1 away from the measuring head 2. The top cover 6 can be designed to be detachable, facilitating the user's maintenance or replacement of the internal scale ruler 3 and spring element 4.

[0050] In this embodiment, the elastic element 4 is a spring, one end of which is connected to the end of the graduated ruler 3, and the other end is connected to the fixing structure provided on the top cover 6. The function of the spring is to provide the necessary rebound force during the measurement process, so that the graduated ruler 3 can automatically return to its initial position after being stretched for measurement, making it convenient for the next use.

[0051] The use of the graduated ruler 3 in this embodiment, combined with clear graduations, ensures the accuracy and reliability of the measurement results. The choice of stainless steel and the spring as the elastic element 4 significantly improves the durability and lifespan of the entire measuring device. The automatic spring reset function simplifies the measurement process; the user only needs to stretch the graduated ruler 3 for measurement, and it automatically returns to its original position after release, improving work efficiency. By adjusting the design of the measuring head 2 and the selection of the elastic element 4, this measuring device can be flexibly applied to various measurement scenarios to meet the needs of different users. The measuring tool is compact and lightweight, and easily inserted into the joint cavity through the arthroscopic sheath channel. The use of this measuring tool helps simplify measurement steps during surgery and shortens surgical time.

[0052] Obviously, the embodiments described above are merely some of the embodiments in this specification, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this specification, those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications without creative effort, and all such variations should fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments in this specification.

[0053] Other embodiments of the embodiments of this specification will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the utility models disclosed herein. This specification is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the embodiments of this specification that follow the general principles of the embodiments of this specification and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed in the embodiments of this specification. The specification and embodiments are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the embodiments of this specification are indicated by the following claims.

[0054] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are not limited to the precise structures already described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from their scope. The scope of the embodiments described herein is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A measuring tool for arthroscopy, characterized in that, It includes an outer cylinder (1) and a measuring scale assembly disposed within the outer cylinder (1); One end of the outer cylinder (1) is provided with a measuring head (2), and the measuring head (2) is provided with an opening (21); The measuring ruler assembly includes a graduated soft ruler (3) and an elastic element (4). One end of the graduated soft ruler (3) is connected to the elastic element (4), and the other end passes through the opening (21) and is connected to the pull ring (5). The elastic element (4) is used to drive the graduated soft ruler (3) back into the outer cylinder (1) when the pull ring (5) is released.

2. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measuring head (2) is fixedly installed at one end of the outer cylinder (1).

3. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The end of the measuring head (2) is provided with a pin (22) for auxiliary positioning.

4. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 2, characterized in that, The measuring head (2) is connected to the outer cylinder (1) by means of threaded connection, snap connection, interference fit or welding.

5. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 3, characterized in that, The end of the ejector pin (22) is conical or triangular.

6. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measuring head (2) is provided with a through hole (23), and a pin (24) is provided in the through hole (23). The scale ruler (3) can pass through the opening (21) by bypassing the pin (24).

7. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The graduated ruler (3) has graduated markings extending along its length.

8. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic element (4) is a spring, one end of which is connected to the graduated ruler (3), and the other end is connected to the fixed structure inside the outer cylinder (1).

9. The arthroscopic measuring tool according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer cylinder (1) has a top cover (6) at the end away from the measuring head (2).

10. A measuring tool for arthroscopy according to claim 7, characterized in that, The graduated ruler (3) is a measuring ruler made of stainless steel.