# 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. - **Patent:** US 12733926 - **Original title:** Fibular fracture staple and methods for using the same - **Granted:** 2026 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 0 - **Field:** medical_devices, biotech, mechanical, orthopedics, surgery ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Orthopedic surgical staples 2. Internal bone fixation devices 3. Fibular fracture repair 4. Foot and ankle surgery implants ## 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733926/fibular-fracture-staple-and-methods-for-using-the-same **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12733926 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Surgical Tool with Flexible, Articulating, and Rotating End Effectors](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10736702/activating-and-rotating-surgical-end-effectors) — This patent describes a surgical tool with a flexible tip that can bend in multiple directions and also twist, allowing surgeons to precisely control instruments like graspers and cutters inside the body. - [How Surgical Tools Give Haptic Feedback Near Operation Limits](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12402879/surgical-instrument-having-force-feedback-capabilities) — This patent describes a surgical instrument that uses a motor to move a tool, continuously tracking its position and providing a tactile vibration or haptic feedback to the surgeon as the tool approaches the end of its movement, improving precision and safety. - [Customizing Surgical Dissectors Using 3D Printing](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10959744/surgical-dissectors-and-manufacturing-techniques) — This patent describes a surgical tool's working tip, called an end effector, which has two jaws whose gripping features can be custom-made using 3D printing for specific surgical needs. - [How a Surgical Device Temporarily Anchors in the Intestine](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733932/surgical-device-for-controlled-anchoring-in-the-intestine) — This patent describes a surgical device designed to temporarily attach itself to the inner wall of the intestine using a controllable suction mechanism and a radially elastic wall. - [A Medical Guidewire That Bends to Protect Tissue](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734341/medical-guidewire-assembly-having-predetermined-spatial-geometry) — This patent describes a medical guidewire assembly designed to safely puncture a body wall, featuring a flexible tip that automatically forms a protective shape once it exits a guiding tube, preventing the sharp piercing tool from accidentally harming nearby healthy tissue.