Depth Gauges — Pattern and Clinical Use
Screw length in fracture fixation must be right: too short and it does not engage the far cortex, too long and it protrudes and irritates soft tissue. The gauge is inserted through the drilled hole, its hook catches the far cortex, and the graduated scale read at the near cortex gives the required screw length directly. It is a small instrument on which fixation quality directly depends.
Scale accuracy is the entire specification, and the hook must engage the far cortex reliably — a hook that slips gives a short reading and an under-length screw. Gauges are matched to screw systems and diameters.
Depth Gauges Variants and Specifications
Standard depth gauge patterns.
| Variant | Specification / use |
|---|---|
| Small fragment (1.5–3.5 mm) | Hand, foot and small bone systems |
| Large fragment (4.5 mm+) | Long bone fixation |
| Graduated scale in mm | Direct screw length reading |
| Hooked measuring tip | Engages the far cortex |
| Sliding barrel | Holds the reading |
| Cannulated pattern | Over a guide wire |
Material, Finish and Quality Control
We forge Depth gauges from 316L austenitic stainless. The graduated scale is verified against a calibrated reference and hook engagement tested, since an under-length screw is a fixation failure. Each batch passes Rockwell hardness testing, dimensional checks on scale calibration and hook engagement, and visual inspection under our ISO 13485 system before passivation and final finishing. Mirror and satin finishes are both available — satin is usually specified where glare under operating lights is a concern.
Who Sources Depth Gauges From Surgical Star
Depth gauges sell to orthopedic trauma distributors as part of screw and plating systems, and must be matched to the screw diameters of the system in use.
OEM, Certification and Ordering
Every Depth gauges can be produced as a private-label line: your logo laser-marked on the barrel, your catalog numbers, and your own printed packaging, manufactured from your drawings or a reference sample. Production runs inside a documented ISO 13485 quality system, with CE marking under EU MDR 2017/745 and US FDA establishment registration behind it. Your shipment carries a certificate of conformity plus the ASTM F899 material certificate for the grade actually used.
Minimums stay deliberately low so a new brand can launch without a heavy first order, and pricing is quoted direct from the factory on volume tiers. Bulk production usually takes four to six weeks from sample approval, shipped DDP with export paperwork and HS codes handled. See how OEM & private label works →
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does a depth gauge work?
It is passed through the drilled hole, the hook catches the far cortex, and the scale read at the near cortex gives the required screw length directly.
Why does hook reliability matter?
A hook that slips off the far cortex gives a short reading, which means an under-length screw that fails to engage properly.
Are gauges system-specific?
They are matched to screw diameter ranges — small fragment and large fragment gauges are calibrated for different systems and are not interchangeable.
Can you manufacture these under our own brand?
Yes — full OEM and private label. We laser-mark your logo and catalog numbers, pack in your branded boxes, and work from your drawings, tech pack or a reference sample, with a pre-production sample approved before any bulk run.
Send your pattern list, drawing or a reference sample and we’ll quote MOQ, pricing and lead time — standard catalog or fully private-label.
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