Patent ID: 8048157
Filing Date: 2011-11-01
Classification: A61F,G01B

Abstract:
1. A method of conducting surgery, comprising the steps of: forming a first bone socket in a first bone; forming a second bone socket in a second bone, the first bone articulating in a predetermined manner with the second bone; providing a measuring device in the vicinity of the first and second bone sockets, the measuring device comprising two cannulated spheres operatively connected by three strands of suture; employing the measuring device to determine a total length which is about equal to the length of the first and second sockets plus the intraarticular space between the first and second sockets; and based on the total length, determining a length of a graft to be positioned within the first and second bone sockets wherein employing the measuring device includes positioning one of the cannulated spheres at one end of the first socket; positioning the other of the cannulated spheres at one end of the second socket; then pulling taut at least one of the strands connecting the two cannulated spheres and measuring the total length as the distance between the two cannulated spheres.