Patent ID: 8721646

Claim:
A staple, comprising: (a) a bridge, comprising: (i) a transition member comprised of shape memory material, (ii) a first member comprised of shape memory material, the first member coupled to the transition member, and (iii) a second member comprised of shape memory material, the second member coupled to the transition member, wherein, (A) the first member is in a first plane, (B) the second member is in a second plane, (C) the first plane and the second plane are substantially parallel to each other, and (D) the second plane is at an elevation different than the first plane; (b) a first leg comprised of shape memory material, wherein the first leg is coupled to the first member; (c) a second leg comprised of shape memory material, wherein the second leg is coupled to the second member, wherein (i) the first leg is substantially parallel to the second leg, and (ii) the staple is configured such that when energy is applied to the staple the staple moves from a first shape to a second shape wherein (A) the first leg and second leg are not parallel to one another, and (B) the difference of the elevation between the first plane and the second plane has changed.