A Four-Legged Staple for Fixing Broken Fibula Bones
This patent describes a special four-legged staple designed to fix broken bones, especially the fibula, by using its spring-like action to pull bone pieces together with forces in multiple directions.
Original patent title: “Fibular fracture staple and methods for using the same”
This patent describes a special four-legged staple designed to fix broken bones, especially the fibula, by using its spring-like action to pull bone pieces together with forces in multiple directions. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a surgical staple with a unique design for fixing bone fractures. It features a bridge connecting four legs: a first and second leg at one end, and a third and fourth leg positioned along the bridge's central axis between the first and second legs. The first and second legs are designed to be mostly parallel. When this staple is bent (deformed) during insertion into bone fragments and then allowed to relax, it creates "multi-planer forces." These forces help to align and compress the broken bone pieces, like holding two parts of a broken stick tightly together so they can heal. For example, it could be used to stabilize a broken fibula bone in the lower leg.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover bone fixation methods that use only screws, plates, or wires without a staple.
- Does not cover staples with only two legs or staples where the third and fourth legs are not aligned along the bridge's central axis.
- Does not cover staples that do not generate multi-planar forces as they return from a deformed to a relaxed position.
- Does not cover staples where the first and second legs are not substantially parallel to each other.
- Does not cover external fixation devices that hold bones in place from outside the body.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is how the staple uses its own elastic spring-back from a bent position to generate forces in several directions simultaneously. This 'multi-planer' action helps both align and compress bone fragments, which is more effective than just pulling them together in one direction.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Orthopedic surgical staples
Internal bone fixation devices
Fibular fracture repair
Foot and ankle surgery implants
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Fixing broken bones precisely is crucial for proper healing and patient recovery. This staple aims to improve how bone fragments are held together by applying forces in multiple directions, which can lead to better alignment and compression. Effective bone stabilization can reduce complications and help patients regain function more quickly.
Filed
May 20, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major orthopedic companies like DePuy Synthes (a Johnson & Johnson company), Stryker, Zimmer Biomet, and Smith & Nephew are constantly innovating in the field of bone fixation. These companies develop and market a wide range of implants, including staples, screws, and plates, for various fracture types and surgical approaches. Smaller, specialized medical device startups also contribute to advancements in this area.
Market impact
Improved bone fixation devices like this staple contribute to better patient outcomes in orthopedic surgery. By offering enhanced alignment and compression, such innovations can lead to faster healing times and reduced rates of non-union (where bones fail to heal). This drives competition among medical device manufacturers to develop more effective and versatile implants, influencing surgical techniques and product offerings in the orthopedic market.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a surgical staple with a unique design for fixing bone fractures. It features a bridge connecting four legs: a first and second leg at one end, and a third and fourth leg positioned along the bridge's central axis between the first and second legs. The first and second legs are designed to be mostly parallel. When this staple is bent (deformed) during insertion into bone fragments and then allowed to relax, it creates "multi-planer forces." These forces help to align and compress the broken bone pieces, like holding two parts of a broken stick tightly together so they can heal. For example, it could be used to stabilize a broken fibula bone in the lower leg.
The clever bit
The clever part is how the staple uses its own elastic spring-back from a bent position to generate forces in several directions simultaneously. This 'multi-planer' action helps both align and compress bone fragments, which is more effective than just pulling them together in one direction.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover bone fixation methods that use only screws, plates, or wires without a staple.
- Does not cover staples with only two legs or staples where the third and fourth legs are not aligned along the bridge's central axis.
- Does not cover staples that do not generate multi-planar forces as they return from a deformed to a relaxed position.
- Does not cover staples where the first and second legs are not substantially parallel to each other.
- Does not cover external fixation devices that hold bones in place from outside the body.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 17.6 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). A Four-Legged Staple for Fixing Broken Fibula Bones (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,926). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733926/fibular-fracture-staple-and-methods-for-using-the-same
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does A Four-Legged Staple for Fixing Broken Fibula Bones cover?
This patent describes a special four-legged staple designed to fix broken bones, especially the fibula, by using its spring-like action to pull bone pieces together with forces in multiple directions.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Fixing broken bones precisely is crucial for proper healing and patient recovery. This staple aims to improve how bone fragments are held together by applying forces in multiple directions, which can lead to better alignment and compression. Effective bone stabilization can reduce complications and help patients regain function more quickly.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover bone fixation methods that use only screws, plates, or wires without a staple.
Patent monitoring