Staples and staple delivery and drill guides

A staple for applying a compressive force between biological elements, comprising:

• a non-linearly extending bridge portion;
• the bridge portion connecting a pair of tines and forming a U-shape between the pair of tines, the bridge portion bounding an open space between the pair of tines;
• the pair of tines extending from the bridge portion and including free ends 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 the pair of tines are spaced apart a second distance that is greater than the first distance;
• wherein each tine of the tines extends along a first direction defined between the bridge portion and the free end thereof, each of the tines include an engagement mechanism positioned on a portion of the tines that substantially faces the other tine of the pair of tines along the first direction;
• wherein each engagement mechanism of the pair of tines includes:
• a first portion proximate to the free end of one of the respective tines and extending toward the bridge portion;
• a first ramp portion extending from the first portion toward the bridge portion and along the first direction toward the other tine of the pair of tines;
• a 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 along the first direction toward the other tine of the pair of tines a distance greater than the first ramp portion extends along the first direction;
• and
• a relief portion extending from the plateau portion and at least along the first direction away from the other tine of the pair of tine, the intersection of the relief portion and the second ramp portion forming a tip.