A new digital device called SmartGauge attaches to any surgical drill and measures hole depth in real time, replacing the manual gauges that currently cause errors in up to 68.5% of fracture fixation surgeries. This matters because fracture fixation is one of the most common operations worldwide, with over 180 million new fractures each year. The critical step of drilling holes for screws currently relies on a manual depth gauge that is both inaccurate and slow, adding 10–15 minutes per operation. Inaccurate screw selection carries a high risk of complications, and waste occurs in 20% of trauma surgeries. If SmartGauge succeeds, operating theatres could become safer and more efficient. The device eliminates the manual measurement step entirely, reducing complication risks and saving time. A health economic analysis, independently verified, estimates annual savings of over £500,000 per hospital—£380 per operation—from reduced screw waste, fewer reoperations, and less litigation. Unlike a previous attempt by a major orthopaedic corporation, SmartGauge is designed to be compatible with any surgical drill, avoiding the high cost and mechanical problems that limited earlier solutions.
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There are over 180 million new fractures annually worldwide making **fracture fixation surgery one of the most common operations.** Due to an ageing and growing population, **fracture surgery is expected to continue increasing.** Currently, one of the critical steps in fracture fixation surgeries involves drilling holes into bones to insert fixation screws. The accuracy of these holes' depth is paramount to ensure the correct screw length, preventing potential harm to patients. This drilling hole step is dependent on a manual depth gauge. However, **existing manual depth gauges have proven to be both inaccurate (with error rates as high as 68.5%) and time-consuming**, adding 10-15 mins per operation. **SmartGauge aims to make fracture fixation safer and faster.** By employing **linear sensor technology and user-centric designs**, SmartGauge can be attached to any surgical drill, providing real-time accurate measurement of hole depth. This eliminates the need for manual gauges altogether, streamlining the surgical procedure and **significantly reducing the high complication risk associated with inaccurate screw selection**. The impact of SmartGauge extends beyond enhancing patient safety. By eliminating the time-consuming drilling depth measurement step, **operating theatres can operate more efficiently, potentially alleviating the waste that has been reported to occur in 20% of trauma surgery.** We conducted a health economic analysis yielding an annual **health cost saving of over £500,000 per hospital** (£380/operation) from time savings, reduced screw waste, reoperations, and litigation. This was independently verified by a Health Economics team. Only one of the established orthopaedic corporations have attempted to address this major issue, however they have faced limitations such as high cost, lack of compatibility, and mechanical problems. In contrast, SmartGauge offers a versatile solution compatible with any surgical drill, providing real-time measurements with unparalleled accuracy and efficiency. Overall, the technology aims to make **fracture fixation surgery safer, faster and with greater efficiency.**
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