A staple for applying a compressive force between biological elements, comprising: a non-linearly extending bridge portion; and a pair of tines comprising end portions having free ends, said pair of tines extending in a first direction from the bridge portion to said free ends, the tines configured to be implanted into the biological elements, the pair of tines being spaced apart a first distance in a first state of the bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion is elastically deformable into a second state such that the pair of tines are spaced apart a second distance that is greater than the first distance, and wherein each tine of the tines includes an engagement mechanism positioned on a portion of each tine that faces the other tine of the pair of tines along the first direction, the engagement mechanism comprising: a first portion extending from a first end portion of the end portions of the respective tine toward the bridge portion, the first portion being planar and aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the tines; a first ramp portion extending from the first portion toward the bridge portion and toward the other tine of the pair of tines; a plateau portion being planar and aligned with the longitudinal dimension of the tines, the plateau portion extending from the first ramp portion toward the bridge portion; a second ramp portion extending from the plateau portion toward the bridge portion and toward the other tine of the pair of tines, the second ramp portion extending a greater distance than the first ramp portion in toward the bridge portion; and a relief portion extending from the second ramp portion away from the other tine of the pair of tines, an intersection of the relief portion and the second ramp portion forming a tip, the tip located closer to the other tine than the plateau portion. a non-linearly extending bridge portion; and a pair of tines comprising end portions having free ends, said pair of tines extending in a first direction from the bridge portion to said free ends, the tines configured to be implanted into the biological elements, the pair of tines being spaced apart a first distance in a first state of the bridge portion, wherein the bridge portion is elastically deformable into a second state such that the pair of tines are spaced apart a second distance that is greater than the first distance, and wherein each tine of the tines includes an engagement mechanism positioned on a portion of each tine that faces the other tine of the pair of tines along the first direction, the engagement mechanism comprising: a first portion extending from a first end portion of the end portions of the respective tine toward the bridge portion, the first portion being planar and aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the tines; a first ramp portion extending from the first portion toward the bridge portion and toward the other tine of the pair of tines; a plateau portion being planar and aligned with the longitudinal dimension of the tines, the plateau portion extending from the first ramp portion toward the bridge portion; a second ramp portion extending from the plateau portion toward the bridge portion and toward the other tine of the pair of tines, the second ramp portion extending a greater distance than the first ramp portion in toward the bridge portion; and a relief portion extending from the second ramp portion away from the other tine of the pair of tines, an intersection of the relief portion and the second ramp portion forming a tip, the tip located closer to the other tine than the plateau portion. a first portion extending from a first end portion of the end portions of the respective tine toward the bridge portion, the first portion being planar and aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the tines; a first ramp portion extending from the first portion toward the bridge portion and toward the other tine of the pair of tines; a plateau portion being planar and aligned with the longitudinal dimension of the tines, the plateau portion extending from the first ramp portion toward the bridge portion; a second ramp portion extending from the plateau portion toward the bridge portion and toward the other tine of the pair of tines, the second ramp portion extending a greater distance than the first ramp portion in toward the bridge portion; and a relief portion extending from the second ramp portion away from the other tine of the pair of tines, an intersection of the relief portion and the second ramp portion forming a tip, the tip located closer to the other tine than the plateau portion.