A GAUGE FOR USE IN A SURGICAL PROCEDURE

摘要

As shown in figure (23), for example, a preferred embodiment of the gauge (301) includes a body (302) with a plumb bob (303) mounted to the body (302). The plumb bob (303) hangs from the body (302) under the influence of a local gravitational field. More particularly, the plumb bob (303) is rotatable relative to the body (302) in both a first plane and a second plane, said planes being orthogonal to each other. In use, a connector (322) allows the gauge (301) to be connected to various surgical implements. The position of the indicator needle (315) on the plumb bob (303) is noted with reference to two sets of markings (316 and 317) on the body (302) to allow a surgeon to determine a first angle in a first plane and a second angle in a second plane. In one exemplary application of the invention, the first and second angles are anatomical angles associated with the surgical insertion of prosthetic components.