Patent ID: 8021403

Claim:
A spinal staple comprising: a bridge member having an upper surface, an opposed lower surface, a front side, an opposed back side, a left end, and an opposed right end; a left leg extending from the lower surface of the bridge member proximate the left end to a tip defining a tapered bone penetrating blade edge configured to be inserted into a first vertebra, the left leg including an outer surface, an opposed inner surface, a front surface, and an opposed back surface; the left leg further including a width measured from the front surface to the back surface, and a length measured from the intersection of the inner surface of the left leg and the lower surface of the bridge member to the tip, the width of the left leg being at least one-half of the length of the left leg; a right leg extending from the lower surface of the bridge member proximate the right end to a tip defining a tapered bone penetrating blade edge configured to be inserted into a second vertebra, the right leg including an outer surface, an opposed inner surface, a front surface, and an opposed back surface; the right leg further including a width measured from the front surface to the back surface, and a length measured from the intersection of the inner surface of the right leg and the lower surface of the bridge member to the tip, the width of the right leg being at least one-half of the length of the right leg; a left fastener retaining portion extending from the bridge member left end and configured to support a left fastener for insertion into the first vertebra; wherein the left leg is positioned intermediate the bridge member and the left fastener retaining portion; a right fastener retaining portion extending from the bridge member right end and configured to support a right fastener for insertion into the second vertebra; and wherein the right leg is positioned intermediate the bridge member and the right fastener retaining portion.