Adjustable Clavicle Hook Plate Gauge for Faster Surgical Sizing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Determining the appropriate sizing for clavicle hook plates is time-consuming and cumbersome due to the need to switch between multiple templates, as patient anatomy often requires sizes not available in standard sets, leading to inefficiencies in surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A medical sizing instrument and method that allows surgeons to determine the appropriate hook depth and plate length by inserting the instrument once and adjusting the hook depth, eliminating the need for multiple template fittings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple templates are used to determine clavicle hook plate sizing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesizing accuracyVSAvoidnumber of templates

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate templates into a single integrated measurement device that can accommodate multiple hook plate sizes. The device includes a body with a cavity that can receive different hook portions, allowing one device to perform the function of multiple templates while maintaining sizing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement device is designed with universal functionality to measure and determine appropriate sizing for various clavicle hook plate configurations. The adjustable cavity and measurement features allow a single device to replace multiple size-specific templates, reducing complexity while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple templates are switched between to find the correct size, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesizing accuracyVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is prepared in advance with a cavity that can accommodate different hook portions, and measurement features are pre-configured. This preliminary setup eliminates the need to switch between multiple templates during surgery, reducing time loss while maintaining the ability to achieve precise measurements for different sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement device incorporates dynamic adjustability, allowing the cavity and measurement features to be reconfigured for different hook plate sizes during the surgical procedure. This dynamic capability enables a single device to replace multiple static templates, saving time while preserving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple templates are used for sizing, then adaptability to different patient anatomy is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanatomy compatibilityVSAvoidtemplate selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The measurement device provides universal adaptability to accommodate different patient anatomies and hook plate sizes through a single device. The cavity can receive different hook portions, and the measurement features can determine appropriate sizing for various configurations, eliminating the need to handle multiple size-specific templates and simplifying the selection process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If multiple templates are switched out during the procedure, then measurement precision is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesizing accuracyVSAvoidprocedures per day

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the functionality of multiple size-specific templates into a single measurement device, the patent eliminates the time-consuming process of switching between templates during surgical procedures. This consolidation maintains sizing accuracy while reducing procedure time, thereby increasing the number of procedures that can be performed per day.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The measurement device allows for continuous sizing determination without interruption from template switching. The device can measure and determine appropriate sizing for different hook plate configurations in a continuous workflow, eliminating the breaks and repositioning required when using multiple templates, thus improving productivity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12551311B2Adjustable clavicle hook plate measurement gauge

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 ACUMED

AI summary

A new and innovative medical sizing instrument and method are provided for determining an appropriate depth and/or length of a clavicle hook plate for a patient. The provided medical sizing instrument may enable a surgeon to determine an appropriate hook depth without having to switch between different components, such as a series of templates. In an example, a surgeon may insert the medical sizing instrument into a patient the same as the surgeon would a clavicle hook plate, adjust the hook depth on the medical sizing instrument until a hook depth is obtained that appropriately maintains the anatomical alignment of the patient's clavicle and acromion, and read an indicated depth on the medical sizing instrument. The surgeon may then remove the medical sizing instrument from the patient and select the appropriate clavicle hook plate to insert into the patient.