Abstract: A method for applying compression to bone, the method comprising: providing a shape memory material device; deforming the shape memory material device using the superelastic properties of the shape memory material device so that the shape memory material device generates a stress level which is at or above the upper plateau of the mechanical hysteresis curve of the shape memory material device; allowing the shape memory material device to recover a portion of its deformation so that the shape memory material device generates a stress level which is substantially at the lower plateau of the mechanical hysteresis curve of the shape memory material device; mechanically constraining the shape memory material device; deploying the shape memory material device so that the shape memory material device is in association with bone; and releasing the mechanical constraint so that the shape memory material device applies compression to bone.

Abstract: A compression screw system, said compression screw system comprising: a compression screw comprising a shaft, a screw thread formed on said shaft at a distal location, and a bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a proximal location, wherein at least a portion of said shaft disposed between said screw thread and said bone-engaging feature is capable of being stretched; and a holding element connectable to said compression screw for releasably holding said at least a portion of said shaft in a stretched condition.

Abstract: A staple comprising: a bridge configured to be elastically stretchable; a first leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; and a second leg connected to said bridge and configured to be elastically bendable; said first and second legs being connected to said bridge so that they are angled toward one another when they are in an unstrained state; such that when said bridge is elastically strained into an elongated condition, and said first and second legs are elastically strained so that they extend substantially parallel to one another, and said first and second legs are disposed in appropriate holes on opposing sides of a fracture line, and when the strain on said staple is thereafter released, compression will be provided across the fracture line by both said bridge and said first and second legs.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a first bone fragment to a second bone fragment, said apparatus comprising: a fusion device, said fusion device comprising: a shaft having a first end and a second end; a first bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a first location, said first bone-engaging feature comprising at least one barb which, in its unbiased condition, flares outwardly from the longitudinal axis of said shaft and which is capable of being elastically constrained to a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shaft, such that said first end of said shaft may be advanced into a hole in the first bone fragment when said at least one barb is elastically constrained to a position substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said shaft but is prevented from being withdrawn from the hole in the first bone fragment when said at least one barb is in its unbiased condition; and a second bone-engaging feature formed on said shaft at a second location, said second bone-engaging feature c

Abstract: Body armor comprising a projectile-resistant outer layer and an energy-absorbing inner layer, wherein the energy-absorbing inner layer comprises a superelastic three dimensional construct.