Vertebral staples and insertion tools

An implantable vertebral staple, comprising a staple body having opposed thru-holes formed therein and having a long spike and at least one short spike, the at least one short spike being adapted to allow rotation of the body when the long spike is partially inserted in bone, and to prevent rotation of the body when the long and short spikes are fully inserted into bone.

A spinal implant kit, comprising:

• a vertebral staple having a plurality of spikes formed thereon and adapted to be implanted in bone, one of the plurality of spikes having a length that is greater than a length of the remaining spikes such that the vertebral staple is freely rotatable about said one of the plurality of spikes when the vertebral staple is partially inserted into bone;
• and
• an inserter tool adapted to removably engage the vertebral staple.

An inserter tool for use with a vertebral staple, comprising:

• an elongate shaft having a proximal handle and a distal end;
• a staple-engaging member coupled to the elongate shaft and movable between an extended position and a retracted position in which the opposed grasping arms are moved toward one another to engage a vertebral staple.

The inserter tool of claim 41, wherein the actuating mechanism comprises a rotatable member.

A method for implanting a spinal staple, comprising:

• partially inserting a long spike formed on a staple into a vertebra;
• rotating the staple about the long spike to orient the staple relative to the vertebra;
• fully inserting the central spike into the vertebra such that one or more short spikes on the staple extend into the vertebra to prevent rotation of the staple relative to the vertebra.