{
  "patent_number": "US 12733926",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "A Four-Legged Staple for Fixing Broken Fibula Bones",
  "original_title": "Fibular fracture staple and methods for using the same",
  "summary": "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_does": "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_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."
  ],
  "filed": "2024-05-20",
  "granted": "2026-09-15",
  "expires": null,
  "status": "active",
  "holder": null,
  "holder_url": null,
  "inventors": [],
  "times_cited": 0,
  "tags": [
    "medical_devices",
    "biotech",
    "mechanical",
    "orthopedics",
    "surgery"
  ],
  "abstract": "The present disclosure relates to a staple including a first leg and a second leg connected to a bridge at a first end and a third leg and a fourth leg that are connected to the bridge in line along a central axis spanning a length of the bridge between the first leg and the second leg. In some embodiments, the first leg and the second leg are substantially parallel with one another at the first end. According to particular embodiments, the staple is configured to provide multi-planer forces as the staple attempts to return to a relaxed position from a deformed position. Such multi-planer forces may align or compress two or more bone fragments. The staple may also include a hole and/or a notch for receiving or connecting with a faster.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733926/fibular-fracture-staple-and-methods-for-using-the-same",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733926/fibular-fracture-staple-and-methods-for-using-the-same/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US12733926",
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}