Implant inserter

Abstract

A system for implant delivery includes an implant and an inserter. The implant includes a body that extends between first and second ends. The implant includes retainers extending outwardly from the first and second ends. The retainers are received in corresponding jaws of the inserter. When the implant is connected to the inserter and the inserter is actuated, the implant elastically deforms.

1 . A staple delivery device comprising:
 a staple comprising a bridge, a first leg, and a second leg, wherein the bridge extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the first leg extends transversely from the first end of the bridge and terminates in a first free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the second leg extends transversely from the second end of the bridge and terminates in a second free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the first free end is beside the second free end; and   an inserter connected to the staple, wherein the inserter comprises a first body and a second body which is a mirror image of the first body, wherein the first body is connected to the first end of the bridge by a first connection, wherein the second body is connected to the second end of the bridge by a second connection, wherein the first and second bodies are joined together at a junction which is adjacent to the bridge opposite the first and second legs;   wherein the inserter is disconnected from the staple by rupturing the first and second connections, wherein the first and second connections are ruptured by an action selected from the group consisting of cutting the first and second connections with a surgical wire cutter, cutting the first and second connections with scissors, cutting the first and second connections with a scalpel, breaking the first and second connections with a rupturing instrument, and breaking the first and second connections manually.   
     
     
         2 . The staple delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the junction is configured to be pressed against the bridge of the staple. 
     
     
         3 . The staple delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of an upper portion of each of the first and second legs is greater than a thickness of a lower portion of each of the first and second legs. 
     
     
         4 . The staple delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the staple further comprises a reinforcing device. 
     
     
         5 . The staple delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing device is wholly or partially embedded in the bridge. 
     
     
         6 . The staple delivery device of  claim 4 , wherein the reinforcing device is made with a metal material. 
     
     
         7 . The staple delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the staple and the inserter is made with a polymeric material. 
     
     
         8 . The staple delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the inserter is made with a material that is not approved for implantation in a human body. 
     
     
         9 . The staple delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the staple further comprises a first securing member and a second securing member, wherein the first securing member extends transversely from the first end of the bridge opposite the first leg, wherein the second securing member extends transversely from the second end of the bridge opposite the second leg, and
 wherein the first body comprises a first recess, and the second body comprises a second recess, wherein the first recess is configured to receive the first securing member to form a first connection, and the second recess is configured to receive the second securing member to form a second connection.   
     
     
         10 . The staple delivery device of  claim 1 , wherein the staple further comprises a third leg. 
     
     
         11 . A staple delivery device comprising:
 a staple comprising a bridge, a first leg, and a second leg, wherein the bridge extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the first leg extends transversely from the first end of the bridge and terminates in a first free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the second leg extends transversely from the second end of the bridge and terminates in a second free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the first free end is beside the second free end; and   an inserter integrally formed as a single part with the staple, wherein the inserter comprises a first body and a second body which is a mirror image of the first body, wherein the first body is connected to the first end of the bridge by a first connection, wherein the second body is connected to the second end of the bridge by a second connection, wherein the first and second bodies are joined together at a junction which is adjacent to the bridge opposite the first and second legs;   wherein the inserter is disconnected from the staple by rupturing the first and second connections, wherein the first and second connections are ruptured by an action selected from the group consisting of cutting the first and second connections with a surgical wire cutter, cutting the first and second connections with scissors, cutting the first and second connections with a scalpel, breaking the first and second connections with a rupturing instrument, and breaking the first and second connections manually.   
     
     
         12 . The staple delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein the junction is configured to be pressed against the bridge of the staple. 
     
     
         13 . The staple delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein a thickness of an upper portion of each of the first and second legs is greater than a thickness of a lower portion of each of the first and second legs. 
     
     
         14 . The staple delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein the staple further comprises a reinforcing device. 
     
     
         15 . The staple delivery device of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing device is wholly or partially embedded in the bridge. 
     
     
         16 . The staple delivery device of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcing device is made with a metal material. 
     
     
         17 . The staple delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the staple and the inserter is made with a polymeric material. 
     
     
         18 . The staple delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein the staple further comprises a third leg. 
     
     
         19 . A staple delivery device comprising:
 a staple comprising a bridge, a first leg, a second leg, a first securing member, and a second securing member, wherein the bridge extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the first leg extends transversely from the first end of the bridge and terminates in a first free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the second leg extends transversely from the second end of the bridge and terminates in a second free end which is remote from the bridge, wherein the first free end is beside the second free end, wherein the first securing member extends transversely from the first end of the bridge opposite the first leg, wherein the second securing member extends transversely from the second end of the bridge opposite the second leg; and   an inserter connected to the staple, wherein the inserter comprises a first body and a second body which is a mirror image of the first body, wherein the first body comprises a first recess, wherein the second body comprises a second recess, wherein the first recess receives the first securing member to form a first connection, wherein the second recess receives the second securing member to form a second connection, wherein the first and second bodies are joined together at a junction which is adjacent to the bridge opposite the first and second legs;   wherein the inserter is disconnected from the staple by rupturing the first and second connections, wherein the first and second connections are ruptured by an action selected from the group consisting of cutting the first and second connections with a surgical wire cutter, cutting the first and second connections with scissors, cutting the first and second connections with a scalpel, breaking the first and second connections with a rupturing instrument, and breaking the first and second connections manually.   
     
     
         20 . The staple delivery device of  claim 11 , wherein the junction is configured to be pressed against the bridge of the staple.