# US 2008/0306408 A1 · Measuring device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2008/0306408 A1 - Document ID: US20080306408A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/952,169 - Filed: 2007-12-07 - Published: 2008-12-11 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-07 - Assignees: Arthrex, Inc. - Inventors: Ian Lo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080306408A1 ## CPC - A61B 5/1076: {for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters (A61B3/1005 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/4523: {Tendons} - A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61B 2090/062: {penetration depth} - A61M 2025/0008: {having visible markings on its surface, i.e. visible to the naked eye, for any purpose, e.g. insertion depth markers, rotational markers or identification of type} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A measuring device for measuring a depth of a tear of a tissue is disclosed. The measuring device comprises a member having a shaft and a distal tip, a plurality of indicia on the shaft of the member for measuring the depth of the tear, and a cannulated member into which the member is disposed. In an example, the measuring device is used to measure the depth of a tear of the rotator cuff tendon. A method of measuring a tear of a tissue using the measuring device is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A measuring device for measuring a depth of a tear of a tissue, the measuring device comprising: a member having a shaft and a distal tip, there being a plurality of indicia on the shaft of the member for measuring the depth of the tear; and a cannulated member into which the member is disposed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The measuring device as in claim 1 wherein the device is used to measure the depth arthroscopically. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The measuring device as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of indicia comprises a first plurality of indicia disposed on a distal portion of the shaft that measures the depth of the tear; and a second plurality of indicia disposed on a proximal portion of the shaft that measures a total thickness of the tissue. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The measuring device as in claim 1 wherein the distal tip is configured to penetrate through the tear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The measuring device as in claim 1 wherein the cannulated member further comprises a window positioned on the cannulated member to view at least a portion of the plurality of indicia. ### Claim 6 A measuring device for measuring a depth of a tear of a tissue, the measuring device comprising: a cannulated member having a distal portion and a proximal portion; a solid member slidably disposed within the cannulated member and having a shaft and a distal tip, the shaft having distal and proximal portions; a first plurality of indicia disposed on the distal portion of the shaft; and a second plurality of indicia disposed on the proximal portion of the shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The measuring device as in claim 6 further comprising a head disposed on the solid member at an end of the shaft opposite the distal tip. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The measuring device as in claim 6 wherein the cannulated member further comprises a grip. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The measuring device of claim 6 wherein the distal tip is configured to penetrate through the tear in the tissue. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The measuring device of claim 6 wherein the first plurality of indicia measures a depth of the tear and wherein the second plurality of indicia measures a total thickness of the tissue. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The measuring device as in claim 6 further comprising a seal positioned on the shaft of the solid member that stabilizes the solid member within the cannulated member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The measuring device as in claim 6 wherein the tissue is a rotator cuff tendon. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The measuring device as in claim 6 wherein the device is made from at least one of stainless steel, titanium, PEEK, or a hard plastic. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The measuring device as in claim 6 wherein the cannulated member further comprises a window positioned to view at least a portion of the plurality of indicia disposed on the proximal portion of the shaft. ### Claim 15 A method of measuring a tear of a tissue using a measuring device, the measuring device having a member having a shaft and a distal tip, there being a plurality of indicia on the shaft of the member for measuring the tissue tear, and a cannulated member into which the member is disposed, the method of measuring comprising the steps of a. sliding the member within the cannulated member so that the distal tip of the member is substantially positioned at a distal margin, wherein the measuring device is positioned substantially tangential to the tear; b. moving the cannulated member so that a distal end of the cannulated member is substantially at a proximal margin while substantially maintaining the position of the distal tip of the solid member at the distal margin; c. reading the plurality of indicia. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of measuring as in claim 15 further comprising the step of calculating a percent of the tear of the tissue, wherein the step of calculating is performed according to the following formula: (a depth of the tear of the tissue/a thickness of the tissue)*100. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of measuring as in claim 15 wherein the steps are performed arthroscopically. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of measuring as in claim 15 wherein the tissue is a rotator cuff tendon, and wherein the steps are performed arthroscopically, the solid member being slid within the cannulated member so that the distal tip is substantially positioned at an articular margin, and the cannulated member being moved so that the distal end is substantially at a bursal side of the rotator cuff tendon. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of measuring as in claim 15 further comprising the step of using length of the tear in the tissue and the thickness of the tissue to decide whether to surgically repair the tear.