Orthopedic staple

• US 4,592,346 A
• Filed: 04/08/1985
• Issued: 06/03/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John A. Jurgutis
• Original Assignee: John A. Jurgutis
• Inventors: Jurgutis, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEISS, JOHN
• Application Number:
  US06/721,207
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 128/92 R, 128/92 B, 128/92 C, 128/334 R, 411/457, 411/461-467, 411/470
• US Class Current: 606/75
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0642 for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0641 having at least three legs as part of one single body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0805 Implements for inserting tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0811 Fixation devices for tendons or ligaments
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0858 Fixation of tendon or ligament between anchor and bone, e.g. interference screws, wedges
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/0888 Anchor in or on a blind hole or on the bone surface without formation of a tunnel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30841 Sharp anchoring protrusions for impaction into the bone, e.g. sharp pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 parallel

Abstract

The staple comprises a top having four downwardly depending legs adjacent to its four corners. Two of the downwardly depending legs on the same side of the top are spaced inwardly from the corners relative to the remaining two legs so as to be transversely offset therefrom. The offset legs avoid the risk of splitting the bone when the staple bridges the bone "grain". In other words, the two legs will enter different cleavage planes of the bone rather than the same cleavage plane. Projections are provided on the underside of the top of the staple to aid in frictionally gripping and retaining a tendon or equivalent tie being held by the staple to a bone.

Claims

1. An orthopedic staple comprising:

(a) a rectangular top having front and rear longitudinal edges and left and right transverse edges;

(b) integrally formed downwardly depending front legs adjacent to the front corners at opposite ends of the front longitudinal edge of said top; and

(c) integrally formed downwardly depending rear legs spaced inwardly of the rear corners at opposite ends of the rear longitudinal edge of said top so as to be transversely offset from the front legs whereby bridging the bone grain so that said longitudinal edges of the top are at right angles to the grain minimizes the risk of splitting the bone when driving the legs of the staple into the bone.

2. A staple according to claim 1, including a plurality of projections of different lengths depending downwardly from the underside of said top for piercing and holding a tendon or equivalent tie secured by said staple to a bone portion.

3. A staple according to claim 1, in which said rear legs are shorter than said front legs.

4. A staple according to claim 1, in which each of the legs making up said front and rear legs are scalloped on opposite sides in a staggered manner to increase frictional retention of the leg in a bone.

5. A staple according to claim 1, in which said front and rear legs are positioned inwardly of the front and rear longitudinal edges of said top respectively to define longitudinal lips for engagement by an instrument when inserting and removing the staple.

6. A staple according to claim 1, in which the undersurface of said top is roughened to increase its frictional holding power.

7. An orthopedic staple for fixation of a tendon or other equivalent tie to a patient bone, comprising:

a generally rectangular top having front and rear longitudinal edges, and left and right side edges;

a pair of front legs formed integrally with said top and depending downwardly from respective positions generally adjacent the opposite ends of said front longitudinal edge;

a pair of rear legs formed integrally with said top and depending downwardly from respective positions generally adjacent the opposite ends of said rear longitudinal edge, said rear legs being transversely offset relative to said front legs to minimize risk of bone splitting upon driving of said front and rear legs into the patient bone with said front longitudinal edge aligned generally at a right angle to the grain of the bone; and

a plurality of projections of different lengths depending from said top for piercing and holding the tendon or equivalent tie to the patient bone.

8. An orthopedic staple for fixation of a tendon or other equivalent tie to a patient bone, comprising:

a generally rectangular top having front and rear longitudinal edges, and left and right side edges;

a pair of front legs formed integrally with said top and depending downwardly from respective positions generally adjacent the opposite ends of said front longitudinal edge;

a pair of rear legs formed integrally with said top and depending downwardly from respective positions generally adjacent the opposite ends of said rear longitudinal edge, said rear legs being transversely offset relative to said front legs to minimize risk of bone splitting upon driving of said front and rear legs into the patient bone with said front longitudinal edge aligned generally at a right angle to the grain of the bone;

a plurality of projections of different lengths depending from said top for piercing and holding the tendon or equivalent tie to the patient bone;

said front legs being spaced rearwardly a short distance from said front longitudinal edge and said rear legs being spaced forwardly a short distance from said rear longitudinal edge to define respectively a front lip and a rear lip; and

an instrument for driving said front and rear legs into the patient bone, said instrument including means for transversely sliding engagement with said front and rear lips.