abstract |
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a surgical staple having first undeployed shape for loading into a stapler, and a second deployed shape for connecting tissue together. The staple has a crown and first and second legs, one attached to each end of the crown. The legs extend from the crown in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the crown when the staple is in its first shape. The legs comprise first and second layers of material joined together. The first layer of material is a superelastic alloy having a relaxed configuration substantially in the staple's second shape. The second layer of material is a linear elastic material having a relaxed configuration substantially in the staple's first shape. The second layer of material has sufficient rigidity to keep the first layer in the first shape prior to the staple being deployed. |