Universal direct measurement depth gauge

A system for measuring the depth of a hole, comprising:

• a depth gauge having a depth gauge channel extending therethrough, the depth gauge including a laser source disposed therein for emitting a laser light beam toward a target drill-bit surface within the depth gauge channel and a light sensor for sensing an incident laser beam reflected from the drill-bit surface;
• a protection sleeve coupled to the depth gauge, the protection sleeve including a protection sleeve channel aligned with the depth gauge channel when the protection sleeve is coupled to the depth gauge;
• and
• a drill-bit configured to extend into the depth gauge channel and the protection sleeve channel to drill a target portion of bone,
• wherein the image sensor generates a plurality of successive images of the drill-bit surface to detect variations in the position of the drill-bit.

A method for measuring the depth of a hole, comprising:

• positioning a depth gauge on a protection sleeve, the depth gauge comprising:
• a body extending a central longitudinal axis and including a channel and a light-passing hole, the light-passing hole open to the channel;
• a light source mounted in the body;
• an image sensor mounted in the body;
• and
• a clamp coupled to the body, the clamp including a plurality of adjustable arms configured to clamp the device to a protection sleeve;
• inserting a drill-bit through the channel and the protection sleeve;
• passing a first light beam generated by the light source through the light-passing hole toward a surface of the drill-bit extending through the channel, the first light beam forming an incident light beam when reflected from the drill-bit surface;
• and
• generating a plurality of successive images of the drill-bit surface, via the image sensor, to detect variations in the position of the drill-bit moving through the channel.