Bone Staple Structure for Compression and Stable Fixation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical staples face challenges in providing effective force distribution and secure fixation in bone tissues, leading to potential leakage and instability during healing processes.

Innovation Solution

A surgical staple designed with a selectively movable configuration between relaxed and opened states, featuring angled side sections and a curved middle section, allowing for improved compression and secure retention using threaded apertures and screws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical staples are inserted into bone parts, then bone compression and fixation are achieved, but force distribution may be insufficient leading to leakage and instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixation stabilityVSAvoidforce distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical staple is divided into multiple side sections (first side section, second side section, third side section, fourth side section) that can independently engage with bone parts. Each side section can be selectively positioned and secured, allowing distributed force application across multiple engagement points rather than concentrating force at a single location, thereby improving both force distribution and fixation stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different side sections of the surgical staple are designed with varying characteristics to optimize local engagement with bone tissue. The staple includes threaded apertures at specific locations that allow for localized compression and secure retention. This local differentiation enables tailored force distribution at each engagement point, addressing the specific mechanical requirements of different bone regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If surgical staples provide strong compression, then bone-to-bone compression is enhanced, but ease of insertion may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression forceVSAvoidinsertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical staple incorporates a resilient middle section that provides dynamic compression. The staple can be inserted in a relatively relaxed state and then selectively moved to a compressed configuration, or the resilient middle section can elastically deform during insertion to provide progressive compression. This dynamic approach allows for easier initial insertion while maintaining strong compression force, resolving the contradiction between insertion ease and compression strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical staple is designed with pre-formed engagement features including threaded apertures and shaped side sections that are prepared in advance for secure retention. The resilient middle section is pre-configured to provide elastic compression upon insertion. These preliminary structural preparations enable strong compression and secure fixation without requiring complex insertion procedures, thereby maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If surgical staples use multiple engagement points, then secure retention is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention securityVSAvoidstaple structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical staple combines multiple engagement points (first side section, second side section, third side section, fourth side section) into a single integrated device with a common middle section. The threaded apertures and resilient elements are merged into one cohesive structure that can be inserted and secured as a unified component. This merging approach provides secure retention at multiple locations while avoiding the complexity of separate implantation procedures for multiple independent elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances bone-to-bone compression and stability by distributing force effectively, ensuring secure fixation and minimizing staple removal, while facilitating easy insertion and retention in bone tissues.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient, middle section extending between a first end and a second end; a first side section extending from the first end and configured to be inserted into a first bone part; a second side section extending from the second end and configured to be inserted into a second bone part wherein the first and second side sections are movable relative to the middle section between a relaxed configuration and an opened configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250375231A1Surgical staple

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 WRIGHT MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A surgical staple includes a middle section extending between a first end and a second end; a first side section extending from the first end and being configured to be inserted into a bone; and a second side section extending from the second end and being configured to be inserted into a bone; wherein the first side section and the second side section cantilever away from the middle section, and the surgical staple is selectively movable between a relaxed configuration where the first side section and the second side section cantilever away from the middle section, and an opened configuration where the first side section and the second side section are substantially parallel to each other.