GB2471648A

GB2471648A - Resiliently deformable bone staple for osteosynthesis

Info

Publication number: GB2471648A
Application number: GB0910555A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gareth Thomas; Paul Allan Knox; Daniel Andrew Bailey; Tom Jenkins
Original assignee: OSTEOTEC Ltd
Current assignee: OSTEOTEC Ltd
Priority date: 2009-06-18
Filing date: 2009-06-18
Publication date: 2011-01-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-18
Also published as: GB2471648B; GB0910555D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a staple for fusing bones. The staple 100 has three or more legs 102a, b, c, d which are linked by a flexible connector 108 in a ring. The staple 100 may be expanded by forcing the flexible connector 108 over a tapered expanding tool (500, fig 5), using a receiver tool (600, fig. 8), to reach an expanded state. The staple is then inserted into the bone pieces and allowed to contract towards its relaxed state, thus fusing the bones together. Each staple leg may have a spike 106 at the end and barbed teeth 104 to aid gripping the bone into which it is inserted. The bone may be pre-drilled to accept the staple spikes. The flexible connecting region may be made from a shape memory metal alloy, such as NiTi (Nitinol). Also claimed is a method of fusing bones using the staple 100, a method of expanding the staple 100 using the expander tool, a receiver and a punch (700, fig 7), and a staple assembly comprising the staple, an expander, a receiver and a punch.

Description

A Staple for Bones

Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to orthopaedics. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device and method for fusing bones.

Angular deviations, complex fractures, instability in bones, and arthritis are often corrected or repaired by fusing bones together. Bones are often fused together by applying a compressive force with a view to reduce the healing time and to improve effectiveness. This compressive force is applied using plates, screws, staples and other similar devices. However, the use of screws and plates has found a myriad of problems in curing near-joint fractures.

Staples, due to their compactness, are found as a better replacement over screws and plates for fusing the bones together. These staples may be produced using shape memory alloys such as CuSn, InTi, Nih, and MnCu.

Shape memory alloys typically exhibit n super elastic property, whereby large strains can be achieved without permanently deforming the material, The shape memory alloys exhibits the property of deforming the shape of the alloys when load is applied and regaining its original shape when the load is removed, above a transformation temperature. This property associated with the shape memory alloys facilitates the change in shape of the staple at predetermined temperatures thus providing a compressive force on the : bones.

S * . **..

: *** Generally, "U" shaped compression staples are used to pull the bone regions S...

together. The "U" shaped compression staples have pair of legs connected together by a connector for applying a compressive force on the bones. *..

*..: However, the compressive force required to pull the bone regions together *..: needs to be high and between multiple bones. Hence multiple "U" shaped compression staples are needed to be deployed on the bones for rigidly fusing the bones together. (Also, due to the shape of the connector, an uneven force is applied on the connector for while expanding the "U" shaped compression staples thus resulting in breakage of the "U" shaped compression staples.) In the light of the foregoing discussion, there is a need of a device which is rigid enough to be deployed into the bones. Furthermore, there is a need of a device that requires less effort in fusing bones while providing a stable and secure fusion of bones. Also, the force applied on the device should be equally distributed along the periphery of the device for ease of expansion of the device.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a device for rigidly fusing bones together, ideally with a continual compressive force.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a device for easily expanding the staple for inserting into the one or more bones.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a staple with three of more legs for fusing one or more bones, the staple includes a super elastic alloy, whereby, in use, the staple fuses one or more bones by applying a compressive force on the or each bone.

Ideally the compressive force is applied by facilitating a change of state of the staple: that is the state of the staple is changed from a relaxed state to an : .". expanded state and optionally back to the relaxed state.

Ideally the state of the staple is changed from the relaxed state to the expanded state by passing the staple through an expander tool. After *: expansion, the staple may be inserted into one or more bones and then the staple is removed from the expander tool, whereby the staple applies compressive force in trying to return to its relaxed state.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is an orthographic projection of a staple as viewed from front and top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an orthographic projection of a staple as viewed from top in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an orthographic projection of a staple as viewed from top in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an orthographic projection of a staple as viewed from front in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an orthographic projection of an expander tool as viewed from front and top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is an orthographic projection of a receiver as viewed from front and top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. * ., S* * I'..

Figure 7 is an orthographic projection of a punch as viewed from front and top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

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Figure 8 is an orthographic projection of an assembly depicting the position of a staple during a relaxedstate in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 9 is an orthographic projection of an assembly depicting the position of a staple during an expanded state in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 is an orthographic projection of an assembly depicting the insertion of staple in one or more bones in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is an orthographic projection of an assembly depicting the fusion of one or more bones by a staple in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is an orthographic projection of an assembly depicting the staple in applying compressive force in trying to return to a relaxed state in one or more bones in an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is an isometric view of different parts of a staple assembly in an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Figure 1 is an orthographic projection of a staple 100 as viewed from front and top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The staple is made of super elastic alloy. Examples of shape memory alloys include but are not limited to NiTi, The super elastic alloys exhibits the property of deforming when load is applied and regaining its original shape when the load is removed. S... * * * S

::::. The staple 100 is used to fuse one or more bones together by applying a compressive force on the one or more bones. The compressive force is applied on the one or more bones by legs of the staple 100. The staple 100 of S..

*..: the present invention may have three or more legs. However, for the purpose of description, the staple 100 as shown in Figure 1 has four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d. The four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d apply the compressive force on the one or more bones upon insertion. Each of the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d has barbed teeth 104 and a spike 106. The barbed teeth 104 are provided to effectively retain the staple 100 in the one or more bones while the spike 106 facilitates easy insertion of the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d into the one or more bones. Further, the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are parallel to each other and spaced apart at predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is based on the application of the staple 100 and can be modified while manufacturing the staple 100.

The four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are connected to each other by a flexible connector 108. The flexible connectors 108 connects the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d through a top portion 110 of the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d, which curved flexible connectors in a ring, he four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d are perpendicular to the flexible connector 108. Also, the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d space at predetermined distance around a central point of the flexible connectors 108.

The flexible connectors 108 have a predefined shape. A preferred embodiment of which includes 3, 4 or more connectors acting as a super elastic spring. The predefined shape is designed to enable easy expansion of the flexible connector 108 when an expander tool is passed through the flexible connector 108. The flexible connector further contains slots 112 on the sides of the flexible connector 108 for receiving the expander tool. The slots 112 on the sides of the flexible connector 108 correspond to the design of the expander tool. The receiver rests on the slots 112 and forces the staple 100 through the expander tool. *aS * * S...

It should be known to a person skilled in the art that the design of the staple is not limited to the one mentioned above. There can be various modifications in the design, size and the shape of the staple 100. For example, the staple 100 can have three legs as shown in Fig.2. Similarly, the *5*S *. .

S S S

shape of the staple 100 can be modified as shown in Fig. 3. Also, the four legs 102a, 1021,, 102c can be inclined at any angle, as shown in Fig. 4, depending on the applications of the staple 100, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 5 is an orthographic projection of an expander tool 500 as viewed from front and top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The expander tool 500 is constructed of a predetermined shape. The predetermined shape of the expander tool 500 is based on the number of legs of the staple 100. In this embodiment, as the staple 100 has four legs 102a, 1021,, 102c and 102d, the expander tool 500 is of X-shaped cross section.

The shape of the cross section of the expander tool 500 will vary depending on the number of legs of the staple 100. Hence, for the staple 100 having four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d, the expander tool would consist of four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d forming X-shape.

The four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d are provided to receive the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100. Also, X-shape cross section of the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d enable the flexible connector 108 to be easily surrounded over the expander tool 500. Thus, the flexible connector 108 and the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d can be passed through the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d of the expander tool 500 thereby enabling the expansion of the staple 100.

To facilitate the expansion of the staple 100, the expander tool 500 is divided into three sections i.e. proximal section 504, tapered section 506 and distal section 508. The proximal section 504 is a section of the expander tool 500 having least cross-sectional area. Similarly, the distal section 508 is a section of the expander tool 500 having maximum cross-sectional area. At the proximal section 504, the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d are parallel to each other. The four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d have a curved chamfer at the proximal section 504. The curved chamfer is provided for receiving the

S I S *.

four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100. Further, as shown in figure 5, the horizontal distance between two diagonally opposite ribs of the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d in the proximal section 504 is denoted as 510. The horizontal distance 510 is selected based on the horizontal distance of the two diagonally opposite legs of the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d when the staple 100 is in its initial state i.e. a relaxed state. In the relaxed state, the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are parallel to each other. The staple 100 is in the relaxed state when it is received in the expander tool 500.

Similarly, at the distal section 508, the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d are parallel to each other. The four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d have a curved chamfer at the distal section 508. The curved chamfer is provided for removal of the staple 100 from the expander tool 500. Further, as shown in figure 5, the horizontal distance between two diagonally opposite ribs of the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d in the distal section 508 is denoted as 512. The horizontal distance 512 corresponds to the maximum expansion of the staple 100 in the expander tool 500 i.e. when the staple 100 is in an expanded state. In the expanded state, the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are parallel to each other.

However, at the tapered section 506, the horizontal distance between each rib of the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d is varied continuously over a predefined length. This enables the staple 100 to be gradually expanded over the tapered section 506. The tapered section 506 acts as a bridge between the proximal section 504 and the distal section 508. Together, the proximal section 504, the tapered section 506 and the distal section 508, constitute the .* expander tool 500 with an overall length denoted as 514.

Figure 6 is an orthographic projection of a receiver 600 as viewed from front and bottom in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The receiver 600 is used to force the staple 100 over the expander tool 500. The S... S **

receiver 600 has a hollow section 602 over a length 604. The hollow section 602 accommodates the expander tool 500 over the length 604. The length 604 is kept equal to or marginally less than the overall length 514 of the expander tool 500 with a view to accommodate the expander tool 500 in the hollow section 602. Once the expander tool 500 is accommodated in the hollow section 602, the staple 100 is removed from the expander tool 500.

Further, the hollow section 602 is parallel over the length 604. In an alternate embodiment, the hollow section 602 can be tapered over the length 604 depending on the design of the expander tool 500.

The hollow section 602 has X-shaped cross section having grooves 606a, 606b, 606c and 606d. The grooves 606a, 606b, 606c and 606d correspond to the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d of the expander tool 500. Further, horizontal distance of the two diagonally opposite grooves of the grooves 606a, 606b, 606c and 606d are designed to have a clearance fit with the horizontal distance 512 of the distal section 508. The clearance fit allows the expander tool 500 to be easily accommodated in the receiver 600. The horizontal distance between the two diagonally opposite grooves of the grooves 606a, 606b, 606c and 606d is denoted as 608 in the Figure 6.

Further, the receiver 600 has an outer periphery 610. The outer periphery 610 rests on the flexible connector 108 and forces the staple 100 over the expander tool 500. The staple 100 is forced over expander tool by applying force on a top surface 612 of the receiver 600.

Figure 7 is an orthographic projection of a punch 700 as viewed from front and top in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The punch 700 has a slotted section 702 on a top region 704. The slotted section 702 on the top region 704 has X-shaped cross section and has slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d. The slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d are provided to :.:::. accommodate the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d of the expander tool 500. Width of the slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d have a clearance fit with the width of the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d of the expander tool *.S.

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S SS S is

500. Horizontal distance 708 of two diagonally opposite slots of the slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d is equal to the horizontal distance 512 of the expander tool 500. The horizontal distance 708 is kept equal with the horizontal distance 512 to avoid obstruction to the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d when the staple 100 is at the distal section 508 of the expander tool 500.

The punch 700 acts as a resistance to the force applied on the staple 100 by the receiver 600. Due to this resistance, the punch 700 pushes the expander tool 500 in the hollow section 602 of the receiver 600.

Figure 8 is an orthographic projection of an assembly 800 depicting the position of a staple 100 during a relaxed state in an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 800 shows an initial setup required to fuse the one or more bones together. The assembly 800 consists of the staple 100, the expander tool 500, the receiver 600 and the punch 700. The staple 100, the expander tool 500, the receiver 600 and the punch 700 are assembled in a specific sequence.

The punch 700 is initially rested on a flat surface 802. The punch 700 has slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d of X-shaped cross sections on the top region 704. These slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d are provided for accommodating the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d of the expander tool 500. The expander tool 500 is then placed on the punch 700. Prior to placing the expander tool 500, the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d at the distal section 508 of the expander tool 500 are aligned with the slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d. As the width of the slots 706a, 706b, 706c and 706d have a s... clearance fit with respect to the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d, the *...

: expander tool 500 can be easily placed on the punch 700. *...

Once the expander tool 500 is placed on the punch 700, the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are aligned with the four ribs 502a,

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502b, 502c and 502d. The four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d are aligned with the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d present at the proximal section 504 of the expander tool 500. After the alignment, the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are placed over the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d. The four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are placed pointing towards the flat surface 802. During the placement, the staple 100 is in the relaxed stated i.e. the predefined shape of the flexible connector 104 and the predetermined distance between the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d is unchanged.

Further, the grooves 606a, 606b, 606c and 606d of the receiver 600 are aligned with the four ribs 502a, 502b, 502c and 502d of the expander tool 500. The receiver 600 is then placed over the expander tool 500 with the hollow section 602 pointing towards the flat surface 802.

Figure 9 is an orthographic projection of an assembly 900 depicting the position of a staple 100 during an expanded state in an embodiment of the present invention. In the expanded state, the predefined shape of the flexible connector 104 and the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 are changed. The change is achieved by forcing the staple 100 over the tapered section 506 of the expander tool 500. The staple 100 is forced over the tapered section 506 of the expander tool 500 by the receiver 600. A force is applied on the top surface 612 of the receiver 600 for forcing the staple over the expander tool 500. The force can be applied manually or through some force exerting machines.

The force applied by the receiver 600 is absorbed at the punch 700. The punch 700 thus forces the expander tool 500 to be inserted in the hollow S...

section 602 of the receiver 600. The force is applied on the receiver 600 until the staple 100 reaches the distal section 508 of the expander tool 500. At this position the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d and the flexible connector 104 of the staple 100 are in the expanded state. S...

I S *I S **

Figure 10 is an orthographic projection of an assembly 1000 depicting the insertion of staple 100 in one or more bones in an embodiment of the present invention. The assembly 1000 constitutes the staple 100, the expander tool 500 and the receiver 600. The assembly 1000 is formed after separating the punch 700 from the staple 100, the expander tool 500 and the receiver 600.

The separation is performed after the staple 100 reaches the distal section 508 of the expander tool 500.

The four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d are inserted in one or more bones 1002. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the one or more bones lOO2are pre-drilled to facilitate the insertion of the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100.

Figure 11 is an orthographic projection of an assembly 1100 depicting the fusion of one or more bones 1002 by a staple 100 in an embodiment of the present invention. The fusion of the one or more bones 1002 is achieved by removing the staple 100 from the assembly 1000. The staple 100 is removed by applying force on the receiver 600. The hollow section 602 of the receiver 600 completely accommodates the expander tool 500 thereby forcing the staple 100 out from the distal section of the expander tool 500.

Figure 12 is an orthographic projection of an assembly 1200 depicting a staple in a relaxed state in one or more bones 1002 in an embodiment of the present invention. The staple 100 attempts to come back to the relaxed state after it is removed from the expander tool 500. Moving toward the relaxed state, the four legs 102a, 102b, 102c and 102d of the staple 100 apply :::: compressive force on the one or more bones 1002. Due to this compressive force, the one or more bones 1002 are fused together by the staple 100. S...

Figure 13 is an isometric view of different parts of a staple assembly in an embodiment of the present invention. The different parts of the staple assembly constitute a staple 100, an expander tool 500, a receiver 600 and a *�SS S. S S * S punch 700. The staple 100, the expander tool 500, the receiver 600 and the punch 700 are assembled together to facilitate the change of state in the staple 100. The change of state is facilitated in the staple 100 to fuse the one or more bones together.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the claims.

Further, it should be clearly understood that the form of the present invention described herein and shown in the figures of the accompanying drawing are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. * * * *. * * *** * * **.* C, *-* p * I. S. S... * S... S *i *,

Claims

CLAIMS1. A staple for fusing one or more bones, the staple comprising: a. three or more legs spaced apart at a predetermined distance; and b. flexible connectors having a predefined shape for connecting the three or more legs, wherein the predefined shape of the flexible connectors and the predetermined distance of the three or more legs is changed from a relaxed state to an expanded state on application of force and is retained back toward the relaxed state on removal of force.
2. The staple as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the three or more legs has barbed teeth to retain the staple into the one or more bones.
3. The staple as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the three or more legs has spikes to facilitate insertion of the staple into the one or more bones.
4. The staple as recited in claim 1, wherein sides of the flexible connectors have slots for receiving an expander tool, the expander tool being used to change the predefined shape of the flexible connector and the predetermined distance of the three or more legs. Slots for accommodating a receiver the receiver being used to force the staple through the expander tool.
5. The staple as recited in claim 1, wherein the three or more legs of the staple are parallel to each other when the staple is in the relaxed state.
6. The staple as recited in claim 1, wherein the three or more legs of the staple are parallel to each other when the staple is in the expanded state.
7. The staple as recited in claim 1, wherein the three or more legs of the staple are inclined at an angle when the staple is in the relaxed state.
8. The staple as recited in claim I is made of super-elastic alloys.
9. The staple as recited in claim 1 is made of materials selected from a group consisting of NiTi (other super-elastic alloys?)alloy.
10. The staple as recited in claim I is made of Nitinol.
11. The staple as recited in claim 1, wherein the three or more legs are spaced apart at the predetermined distance around a central point of the flexible connector.
12.A method for fusing one or more bones, the one or more bones being fused using a staple having three or more legs, the method comprising: a. expanding the staple by forcing it over an expander tool, wherein the staple is expanded from a relaxed state; b. inserting the three or more legs of the staple into the one or more bones; and c. pulling out the expander tool from the staple to fuse the one or more bones, wherein the staple returns toward the relaxed state after the expander tool is released.
13. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising aligning the three or more legs of the staple on a proximal section of the expander tool prior to expansion, the proximal section being a section of the expander tool with least cross-sectional area.
14. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising drilling the one or more bones to insert the three or more legs of the staple.
15.The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the pulling out of the expander tool is accomplished by forcing the staple from a distal section of the expander tool, the distal section being a section of the expander tool with maximum cross-sectional area.
16.A staple assembly for fusing one or more bones, the staple assembly comprising: a. a staple comprising: three or more legs spaced apart at a predetermined distance; and a flexible connector having a predefined shape connecting the three or more legs; b. an expander tool having a cross section of a predetermined shape, the expander tool comprising: a proximal section for receiving the three or more legs of the staple; a tapered section for expanding the predetermined distance of the three or more legs and the predefined shape of the flexible connector; and a distal section for facilitating the removal of the staple; C. a punch comprising a slotted section on a top region for accommodating a portion of the expander tool; and d. a receiver comprising a hollow section for accommodating the expander tool.
17. The staple assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein each of the three or more legs of the staple has barbed teeth to retain the staple in the one or more bones.
18. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein each of the three or more legs of the staple has spikes to facilitate insertion of the staple into the one or more bones.
19. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the three or more legs of the staple are parallel to each other when the staple is in a relaxed state.
20.The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the three or more legs of the staple are parallel to each other when the staple is in an expanded state.
21.The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the three or more legs of the staple are inclined at an angle when the staple is in a relaxed state.
22.The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein sides of the flexible connector of the staple have slots for receiving the expander tool.
23. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein face of the flexible connector have grooves to accommodate the receiver.
24.The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the slotted section of the punch corresponds to cross section of the predetermined shape of the expander tool
25. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the hollow section of the receiver corresponds to cross section of the predetermined shape of the expander tool.
26. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the expander tool have X-shaped (if 4 point, V if 3 etc) cross section.
27. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the slotted section of the punch is X-shaped.
28. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the hollow section of the receiver is X-shaped.
29. The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the staple is made of material selected from a group consisting of CuSn alloy, InTl alloy, TiNi alloy, and MnCu alloy.
30.The staple assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the staple is made of Nitinol.
31.A method for changing a state of a staple having three or more legs for fusing one or more bones, the state of the staple being changed from a relaxed state to an expanded state and vice versa, the change of state being facilitated by an expander tool having a proximal section, a tapered section and a distal section, the proximal section and the distal section are sections of the expander tool having least and maximum cross-section area respectively, the method comprising: a. placing the distal section of the expander tool on a punch, wherein the punch is rested on a flat surface; b. resting the staple on the proximal section of the expander tool, wherein the three or more legs of the staple point towards the flat surface; c. aligning a receiver with the expander tool; d. changing the state of the staple from the relaxed state to the expanded state by forcing the staple against the tapered section of the expander tool, wherein the staple is forced by the receiver; e. removing the punch from the expander tool when the staple device reaches the distal section of the expander tool; f. inserting the staple along with the expander tool and the receiver on the one or more bones; and g. releasing the staple from the expander tool by forcing the staple out of the distal section, whereby the state of the staple is changed from the expanded state toward the relaxed state.