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.

What it 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.

What it doesn't 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.

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.

Why it matters

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.

Real-world examples

• 1.Orthopedic surgical staples
• 2.Internal bone fixation devices
• 3.Fibular fracture repair
• 4.Foot and ankle surgery implants