Abstract: A pedicle screw system and/or a spinal stabilization system includes a pedicle screw having a screw shaft with an external thread and having a screw head supported on the screw shaft in a ball-and-socket joint relationship therewith. The screw head includes a connecting element receptacle for a connecting element of a spinal stabilization system. The pedicle screw system further includes a bone alignment device and a coupling device for at least one of force-locking coupling and form-locking coupling of the bone alignment device and the screw shaft when in an alignment position.

Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure a cartridge for use with a surgical stapler is disclosed. The cartridge has a plurality of individual directionally biased surgical staples therein and associated pushers for ejecting the staples from the cartridge, each of the staples being supported within the cartridge in spaced relation from adjacent staples and each of the staples comprising a backspan, and a pair of deformable legs depending from the backspan. The legs are configured to come into contact with anvil pockets for formation of the staple. Each of the staples has a substantially uniform cross-section along substantially the entire length of each leg, the cross-section includes a shape that is selected from the group consisting of a trapezoid, a triangle and a semicircle.

Abstract: The invention provides a surgical fastener. The fastener has a first element defining an axis of the fastener, and one or more prongs attached to the first element at hinge regions. Deploying the fastener involves bending the prongs at the hinges so as to increase the distance of the prong tips from the axis and locking the fastener in this deployed configuration. The invention also provides a surgical fastening device and a method for attaching a surgical fastener to a site of a body tissue.

Abstract: A U-shaped connector (10) for connecting together abutting or adjoining timber elements includes a stem portion extending between two kinked spike portions (14,16) with each spike portion (14,16) extending in a common direction from the stem portion. Each kinked spike portion (14,16) is comprised of four straight portions (15,18,20,22 and 17,19,21,23) of equal length joined end-to-end, with each straight portion extending at an angle to its adjacent portion. Distal ends (24,25) of each tip portion (22,23) are sharpened and splayed wider than the stem portion. On installation, the flexibility of connector (10) is sufficient to provide a compressive force to the abutting faces of the timbers being joined with the kinked spike portions (14,16) moving outwards away from each other so as to increase the connector's pull out resistance.

Abstract: A staple for attaching together first and second metal sheets is made of a length of round wire bent at the ends to form spaced apart depending metal legs, each having a metal piercing point at the end thereof adapted to pierce completely through the first sheet and at least partially through the second sheet and also adapted to spread the legs further apart during the piercing to a spread position in which the legs are anchored within the metal sheets and thereby attach the metal sheets together. The metal piercing points each having an outside bevel surface on the outside of the leg, an inside bevel surface on the inside of the leg, and a blunt end surface between the inside and outside bevel surfaces.

Abstract: A staple for attaching together first and second metal sheets is made of a length of round wire bent at the ends to form spaced apart depending metal legs, each having a metal piercing point at the end thereof adapted to pierce completely through the first sheet and at least partially through the second sheet and also adapted to spread the legs further apart during the piercing to a spread position in which the legs are anchored within the metal sheets and thereby attach the metal sheets together. The metal piercing points each having an outside bevel surface on the outside of the leg, an inside bevel surface on the inside of the leg, and a blunt end surface between the inside and outside bevel surfaces.

Abstract: A method for making decorative staple strips includes: cutting a thin metal sheet into a plurality of metal strips; assembling the metal strips; applying an adhesive to the assembled metal strips; subjecting the bonded metal strips to a punching process so as to form a non-folded strip unit in a unit length of the bonded metal strips such that the non-folded strip unit has two opposite pin-forming holes formed in the unit length of each of the bonded metal strips, each of the pin-forming holes having two opposite sides confined respectively by two pin-forming portions in the unit length of each of the bonded metal strips; separating the non-folded strip unit from the bonded metal strips; and folding the pin-forming portions of the non-folded strip unit.

Abstract: A reusable fixture for articles which can be pushed in and pulled out manually, and which shows no deformation after being pulled out. A pin is formed in such a fashion that a pair of inserting blades are respectively supported rotatably on a pivot, in the vicinity of one end, a, of the respective blades, symmetrical bend sections being formed in the respective blades at positions towards the center thereof from the aforementioned ends, a, and the other ends thereof forming inserting sections. The inner and outer edge regions of the inserting section have a linear shape or a curved shape. A cap for holding the pivot is attached to the pin, and a knob section is formed on the cap. A thin plate-shaped washer having a hole through which the inserting blades are inserted is used in combination with the pin.

Abstract: A staple (4) for a delicate material (22) comprises two flexible legs (46, 47) between a head portion (56) connecting the legs and an introduction end portion (57). Between the head and end portions is located a discontinuity portion (58) so that when the staple is pushed into the material (22), at least one of the legs (46, 47) inclines with respect to the head portion (45) and thus ensures good resistance to extraction. The two legs (46, 47) are bent (76, 77) inwardly in the discontinuity portion (58) of the whole assembly to diverge from one another upon fixing the staple to the delicate material.

Abstract: The staple (41) for delicate material (22) comprises two flexible legs (46, 47) between a head portion (56) connecting the legs and an introduction end portion (57). Between the two portions, head and end, is located a discontinuity portion (58) so that when it is pushed into the material (22), at least one of the legs (46, 47) inclines with respect to the head portion (45) and thus ensures good resistance to extraction. The two legs (46, 47) are bent (76, 77) inwardly in the discontinuity portion (58) of the whole assembly to diverge from one another upon pushing it.

Abstract: According to the present invention, it is possible to produce an article-fixing device at low cost and in large quantity and also to drive a pin unit in accurate and assured manner, and to firmly mount an object to be fixed.

Abstract: A staple and stapler for injecting the staple in a manner so that the staple maintains a near constant width upon penetration of material to be joined and during staple closure/forming such that material perturbation and staple to staple spacing may be minimized. The staple has a rectilinear bridge part from which depend oppositely positioned side parts and from the side parts a pair of straight legs. In a preferred embodiment, the oppositely positioned side parts consist of a proximal arcuate section attached to the bridge part and an oppositely directed distal arcuate section attached to the legs. The legs may have sharpened points. Also disclosed is a stapler adapted to force the oppositely directed distal arcuate sections outward, in one embodiment, thereby forcing a reaction of the legs of the staple to face each other in linear alignment and form a closed staple.

Abstract: An improved staple for use with an endoscopic stapler has arms which are curved toward each other such that the staple may be crimped so as to cause the arms to move toward each other and thereby lock the staple into place. This crimping action substantially mitigates the likelihood of the staple inadvertently pulling out. The staple also has an abutment bend formed therein to serve as a detent and thereby secure the staple within the jaws of an endoscopic stapler. An endoscopic stapler for effecting use of the improved staple is also disclosed. The endoscopic stapler generally comprises an elongate tubular section which may be inserted through an endoscopic incision into a human body; a handle portion having a trigger for effecting the stapling process; a pair of jaws disposed at the distal end of the elongate tube for positioning and crimping a staple in place; a feed mechanism for advancing a series of staples to the jaws; and a means for selectively adjusting the amount of crimp imparted to the staple.

Abstract: A surgical staple has a base portion and a pair of leg portions respectively extending angularly from the opposite ends of the base portion. Each leg portion has at its distal end portion a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface extending from the first inclined surface to the distal end of said leg portion. The first and second inclined surfaces are inclined with respect to the axis of the leg portion. The angle between the first inclined surface and the axis of the leg portion is smaller than the angle between the second inclined surface and the axis of the leg portion. The second inclined surface terminates in a sharp edge at its distal end. For producing the surgical staple, a blade is moved toward each of the leg portions in inclined relation to the axis thereof to shear the leg portion, so that a smooth sheared surface and a coarse ruptured surface are formed on the distal end portion of the leg portion and arranged in this order toward the distal end of the leg portion.

Abstract: A staple for installation in a wood support having a U-shaped body defined by a pair of rod-like legs in fixed parallel spaced-apart relationship terminating at one end with the opposite ends of an arcuate member and each leg terminating its respective other end in a chamfered, cut-away point. Each leg is further provided with a notched barb outwardly extending beyond the surface of each leg defining a rounded ramp on its side nearest the point and a step on its other side. A sleeve of insulative material is disposed on the inside of the staple adjacent to the arcuate member.

Abstract: An I-beam or joist is formed of a pair of horizontal, parallel wood chords connected together by a wood web. The lower chord is pre-stressed by holding it in compression during assembly of the chords and web. The chords are fastened to the web by U-shaped wire staples whose legs have bevels formed on their free ends which cause the legs to move towards each other and to cross the central axis of their respective staple as they longitudinally penetrate thewood during insertion through a chord and into the wood web. Further, plates are fastened upon the opposite faces of the web at the opposite ends of the web, thereby increasing the web thickness at the opposite ends of the beam to substantially increase the allowable shear stress limits of the beam.

Abstract: An improved fastener is provided with retainer elements which are utilized to prevent undesired movement of the fastener relative to an associated member. In one embodiment of the invention, the retainer elements are resiliently deflectable spring fingers having free end portions which penetrate the associated member to prevent reverse rotation of the fastener, that is rotation of the fastener in a direction tending to loosen the fastener. When the threaded fastener is being rotated in a first direction to tighten it, the spring fingers are deflected into recesses formed in the fastener to prevent gouging or marking of the member. Upon the application of a force tending to loosen the fastener, the free end portions of the spring fingers penetrate the member and dig in to prevent loosening movement of the fastener. In another embodiment of the invention, the retainer elements cooperate with an associated member to prevent both axial and rotational movement of the fastener relative to the member.

Abstract: A staple-nail fastener for nailing a ceiling support strip to a panel of wallboard which consists of a length of relatively hard steel wire bent into "U" shape to form long and short legs approximately parallel to one another, the long leg being approximately one-quarter inch to approximately three-eighths of an inch longer than the short leg. The long leg is chamfered to a sharp point, while the short leg presents a tip which is less sharp so that when the fastener is hammered into the strip the long leg readily penetrates the strip while the short leg resists penetration, serving as a fulcrum for the long leg to impart broadwise swinging movement thereto so that, as the long leg continues its penetrating movement, it regionally compresses the wallboard in the direction of the strip, until the short leg assumes a final position in which it lies flatly and snugly against the strip.

Abstract: A stapling apparatus and method together with thermoplastic staples used therewith are disclosed and each staple is made entirely of thermoplastic material and has a bight and a pair of legs the outer portions of which are permanently heat shaped in clinched relation followed by immediate cooling.

Abstract: A novel combination of a bone implant, e.g. a bone staple, and a tissue retention element in sliding relation therewith is disclosed. The tissue retention element is provided with a multiplicity of teeth capable of piercing and holding in place adjacent soft tissue when the implant is driven into the bone structure of a patient. Since the tissue retention element is separable from the implant, the same element can be used in combination with different bone implants.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and means for closing an incision with surgical clips wherein the clips have a preformed preliminary skin hooking portion and a portion deformable on application to hook the skin on the opposite side of the incision whereby the clip becomes a surgical tool for holding the skin on one side of the incision while the closing of the incision by the clip is being carried out.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fastening device for driving into building material, the device consisting of one or more elongate V profiles whose shanks, in the vicinity of the forward, penetrating end of the profiles are outwardly relieved or bevelled such that building material, on driving of the device into the material, is trapped between the shanks and forces them apart. A tip at the forward end of the profile is designed such that, on being driven in, it moves in the driving-in direction.