Bone Hole Measuring Device With Sliding Hook Sleeve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional measuring hooks used to determine the length of a through-hole in a bone are difficult to fix securely and may accidentally injure soft tissue, leading to false measurements.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device comprising an elongated hollow sleeve with a slidable bar and a handle, where the bar can be positioned to protrude laterally over the sleeve, securely engaging with the bone cortex without slipping, and a counter-piece for indicating the bone thickness, reducing the risk of soft tissue injury and measurement errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional measuring hook is used to measure the length of a through-hole in a bone, then the measurement can be performed, but the hook may slip off the rim of the through-hole and soft tissue may be accidentally clamped, leading to false measurements and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protection sleeve as an intermediary component between the measuring hook and the bone structure. The sleeve is inserted into the through-hole first, providing a stable reference point and protection surface. The measuring hook then engages with the sleeve rather than directly with the bone rim, eliminating the slipping problem and preventing soft tissue夹伤. The sleeve acts as a mediator that ensures reliable measurement while protecting surrounding soft tissue from injury.
2Device complexity
If a simple L-shaped measuring hook is used, then the device complexity is low, but the hook cannot be securely fixed at the distal cortex and may slip off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measuring device into two separate functional components: a protection sleeve that provides stable positioning within the through-hole, and a measuring hook that performs the actual measurement. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function - the sleeve for secure fixation and the hook for accurate measurement - thereby improving overall reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection sleeve is inserted into the through-hole before the measuring hook is engaged. This preliminary action establishes a stable reference point and prepares the measurement path, ensuring that when the hook is subsequently engaged, it has a secure base to work from, preventing slippage and ensuring reliable fixation during measurement.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A measuring device (1) for measuring the length of a through-hole in a bone is provided comprising an elongated hollow sleeve (3) preferably having an outer cross-section adapted to a cross-section of the through-hole and having an opening (5) at its distal extremity. The measuring device (1) further comprises a bar (7) having a hook-end (9) at its distal extremity. The bar is at least partly housed within the hollow sleeve and is slidable with respect to the sleeve along its longitudinal axis. A sleeve and the bar are adapted such that, slid to a distal position of the sleeve, the hook-end can be displaced such as to protrude through the opening of the sleeve and laterally over the lateral surface of the sleeve, and such that, slid to a proximal position of the sleeve, the bar does not protrude laterally over the outer cross-section of the sleeve.