Drill having radiographically visible depth indications

Abstract

A drill component is provided that enables determining the drill component's insertion depth into bone via direct measurements. The direct measurements help provide more consistently accurate insertion depth measurements as compared to typical insertion depth measurement methods that indirectly determine insertion depth using cannulas outside of the bone. The determined insertion depth corresponds to an implant size or length that a surgeon should select for a procedure. The drill component includes a shaft having an insertion end that includes multiple indications or markings that are visible on radiographic or fluoroscopic images. From one or more captured radiographic or fluoroscopic images of the drill component advanced into bone, a surgeon may count a quantity of indications or markings of the drill component on the one or more radiographic or fluoroscopic images to determine the drill component's insertion depth into the bone.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.