Shape memory compression staple

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016135808-A1
Application number	US-201414547791-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 19, 2014
Priority date	Nov 19, 2014
Publication date	May 19, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An orthopaedic staple includes a bridge portion having a pair of ends and a staple leg formed from a shape memory material connected to each of the pair of ends. The staple legs have a constrained position where the staple legs are generally parallel to one another and a relaxed position where the staple legs generally converge toward one another. Each of the staple legs has a protruding portion with a maximum leg thickness and a tip, with each of the staple legs increasing in thickness from the tip to the protruding portion. The bridge portion and each of the protruding portions define grasping portions therebetween that are configured to provide resistance to backout of the orthopaedic staple.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An orthopaedic staple, comprising:
a bridge portion having a pair of ends; and a staple leg formed from a shape memory material connected to each of said pair of ends, said staple legs having a constrained position where said staple legs are generally parallel to one another and a relaxed position where said staple legs generally converge toward one another, each of said staple legs having a protruding portion with a maximum leg thickness and a tip, each of said staple legs increasing in thickness from said tip to said protruding portion, said bridge portion and each of said protruding portions defining grasping portions therebetween configured to provide resistance to backout of said orthopaedic staple.

2 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 1 , wherein each of said grasping portions has a curved surface that faces the curved surface of the opposite grasping portion.

3 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 2 , wherein each of said staple legs has an outer leg surface that is substantially flat.

4 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 1 , wherein each of said grasping portions is shaped to interact with a holder to keep said staple legs in said constrained position.

5 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 1 , wherein said staple legs are configured to move at least 5 degrees between said constrained position and said relaxed position.

6 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 5 , wherein said staple legs are configured to move at least 10 degrees between said constrained position and said relaxed position.

7 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 1 , wherein said grasping portions are configured to allow locking of said protruding portions underneath a cortical shell after insertion of said orthopaedic staple.

8 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 1 , wherein each of said staple legs increases in thickness in a stepwise manner between said tip and said protruding portion.

9 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 8 , wherein a serration formed in each of said staple legs defines at least one of said increases in thickness.

10 . An orthopaedic staple, comprising:
a bridge portion having a first end and a second end; a first staple leg connected to said first end; and a second staple leg connected to said second end and formed of a shape memory material, said second staple leg having a constrained position where said second staple leg and said first staple leg are generally parallel to one another and a relaxed position where said second staple leg converges toward said first staple leg, said second staple leg having a protruding portion with a maximum leg thickness and a tip, said second staple leg increasing in thickness from said said tip to said protruding portion, said bridge portion and said protruding portion defining a grasping portion therebetween configured to provide resistance to backout of said orthopaedic staple.

11 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 10 , wherein said grasping portion has a curved surface that faces an inner surface of said first staple leg.

12 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 11 , wherein said first staple leg and said second staple leg each have an outer leg surface that is substantially flat.

13 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 10 , wherein said second staple leg is configured to move at least 5 degrees between said constrained position and said relaxed position.

14 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 13 , wherein said second staple leg is configured to move at least 10 degrees between said constrained position and said relaxed position.

15 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 10 , wherein said grasping portion is configured to allow locking of said protruding portion underneath a cortical shell after insertion of said orthopaedic staple.

16 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 10 , wherein said second staple leg increases in thickness in a stepwise manner between said tip and said protruding portion.

17 . The orthopaedic staple according to claim 16 , wherein a serration formed in said second staple leg defines at least one of said increases in thickness.

18 . A method of compressing bone tissue, comprising the steps of:
providing an orthopaedic staple having a bridge portion with a pair of ends and a staple leg formed from a shape memory material connected to each of said pair of ends, said staple legs having a constrained position where said staple legs are generally parallel to one another and a relaxed position where said staple legs generally converge toward one another, each of said staple legs having a protruding portion with a maximum leg thickness and a tip, each of said staple legs increasing in thickness from said tip to said protruding portion, said bridge portion and each of said protruding portions defining grasping portions therebetween configured to provide resistance to backout of said orthopaedic staple; holding said staple legs in said constrained position; producing a pair of staple leg holes in said bone tissue; placing each of said staple legs in one of said pair of staple leg holes; and releasing said staple legs.

19 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein said holding step is accomplished by placing a holder in each of said grasping portions that forces said staple legs into said constrained position.

20 . The method according to claim 18 , wherein at least one of said pair of staple leg holes is produced with a smaller diameter than said maximum leg thickness of at least one of said staple legs.

Assignees

• Biomet Mfg Llc
• Bioment Mfg Llc

Inventors

• Anderson David

Classifications

• A61B2017/00867

  shape memory effect · CPC title

• A61B17/0642

  for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone · CPC title

• A61B17/0644 Primary

  penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position · CPC title