Position gauge for surgical instruments

Abstract

A position gauge for a surgical instrument is formed from a base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface, a pin extending from the lower surface of the base plate at an angle perpendicular to a plane of the lower surface of the base plate; and a level arranged on the upper surface of the base plate. The level is a circular level having an enclosed chamber filled with liquid and a gas bubble disposed in the chamber. A position of the gas bubble in a center of the chamber indicates a position perpendicular to horizontal. The chamber contains a marking that indicates the position perpendicular to horizontal, when the bubble is located within the marking. The position gauge is inserted into a channel in a motorized surgical instrument so that the level can indicate the correct vertical position of the instrument to the surgeon during surgery.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.