Patent ID: 8496665

Claim:
A gauge system, comprising: a) a bone drill having a shaft with a boring end, an opposite tool engaging end, a surface, and graduated indicia provided on said surface; and b) a drill sleeve having a one-piece cylindrical body with a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, and a longitudinal bore extending along the longitudinal axis sized for passage of the bone drill, said drill sleeve being longitudinally symmetrical such that said first end is structurally identical to said second end, and a frictional retaining element integrally formed with said cylindrical body for exerting a bearing force against said surface of the bone drill, said frictional retaining element includes at least one spring element that intrudes inwardly into a volume defined by said bore, said drill sleeve having a weight and said bearing force of said frictional retaining element being sufficiently large to support at least the weight of said drill sleeve on said bone drill so as to hold a longitudinal position of said drill sleeve on said bone drill, and said bearing force being sufficiently small to allow longitudinal translation of said drill through said bore when said drill sleeve is held stationary, wherein a depth of a hole drilled by said bone drill is determined by referencing a location of said drill sleeve relative to said indicia on said bone drill, and given said longitudinal symmetry of said drill sleeve said depth is determinable regardless of whether said first end or said second end of said drill sleeve is advanced first over said bone drill.