FIXATION STAPLES FOR USE IN SURGICAL PROCEDURES
A staple delivery device includes a staple and an inserter. The inserter is movable between a free state and an actuated state, which moves the staple between a free state in which the staple legs converge and an elastically deformed state in which the staple legs are parallel. The inserter is connected to the staple by connections which can be ruptured after the staple has been implanted to cause the staple to move toward its free state, and to disconnect the inserter from the staple. Hybrid staples with polymer base members and metal reinforcing members are disclosed.
1 . A staple delivery device comprising:
a staple comprising a bridge, a first leg, and a second leg, wherein the bridge extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the first leg extends transversely from the first end of the bridge and terminates in a first free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the second leg extends transversely from the second end of the bridge and terminates in a second free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the first free end is beside the second free end; and
an inserter connected to the staple, wherein the inserter comprises a first body and a second body which is a mirror image of the first body, wherein the first body is connected to the first end of the bridge by a first connection, wherein the second body is connected to the second end of the bridge by a second connection, wherein the first and second bodies are joined together at a junction which is adjacent to the bridge opposite the first and second legs;
wherein the inserter is disconnected from the staple by rupturing the first and second connections, wherein the first and second connections are ruptured by an action selected from the group consisting of cutting the first and second connections with a surgical wire cutter, cutting the first and second connections with scissors, cutting the first and second connections with a scalpel, breaking the first and second connections with a rupturing instrument, and breaking the first and second connections manually.
2 . A staple delivery device comprising:
a staple comprising a bridge, a first leg, and a second leg, wherein the bridge extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the first leg extends transversely from the first end of the bridge and terminates in a first free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the second leg extends transversely from the second end of the bridge and terminates in a second free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the first free end is beside the second free end; and
an inserter integrally formed as a single part with the staple, wherein the inserter comprises a first body and a second body which is a mirror image of the first body, wherein the first body is connected to the first end of the bridge by a first connection, wherein the second body is connected to the second end of the bridge by a second connection, wherein the first and second bodies are joined together at a junction which is adjacent to the bridge opposite the first and second legs;
wherein the inserter is disconnected from the staple by rupturing the first and second connections, wherein the first and second connections are ruptured by an action selected from the group consisting of cutting the first and second connections with a surgical wire cutter, cutting the first and second connections with scissors, cutting the first and second connections with a scalpel, breaking the first and second connections with a rupturing instrument, and breaking the first and second connections manually.
3 . A staple delivery device comprising:
a staple comprising a bridge, a first leg, a second leg, a first securing member, and a second securing member, wherein the bridge extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the first leg extends transversely from the first end of the bridge and terminates in a first free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the second leg extends transversely from the second end of the bridge and terminates in a second free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the first free end is beside the second free end, wherein the first securing member extends transversely from the first end of the bridge opposite the first leg, wherein the second securing member extends transversely from the second end of the bridge opposite the second leg; and
an inserter connected to the staple, wherein the inserter comprises a first body and a second body which is a mirror image of the first body, wherein the first body comprises a first recess, wherein the second body comprises a second recess, wherein the first recess receives the first securing member to form a first connection, wherein the second recess receives the second securing member to form a second connection, wherein the first and second bodies are joined together at a junction which is adjacent to the bridge opposite the first and second legs;
wherein the inserter is disconnected from the staple by rupturing the first and second connections, wherein the first and second connections are ruptured by an action selected from the group consisting of cutting the first and second connections with a surgical wire cutter, cutting the first and second connections with scissors, cutting the first and second connections with a scalpel, breaking the first and second connections with a rupturing instrument, and breaking the first and second connections manually.