Suitable antimicrobial agents which may be included as a medicinal agent with the shape memory polymers utilized to form the legs of staples of the present disclosure include triclosan, also known as 2,4,4???-trichloro-2???-hydroxydiphenyl ether, chlorhexidine and its salts, including chlorhexidine acetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, and chlorhexidine sulfate, silver and