# US 10,863,982 B2 · Surgical bending instrument > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,863,982 B2 - Document ID: US10863982B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/992,065 - Filed: 2018-05-29 - Published: 2018-09-27 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-11 - Assignees: In2Bones USA, LLC - Applicants: In2Bones USA, LLC - Inventors: Rebecca Hawkins Wahl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863982B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/0682: {for applying U-shaped staples or clamps, e.g. without a forming anvil} - A61B 17/064: Surgical staples, {i.e. penetrating the tissue} - A61B 17/0642: {for bones, e.g. for osteosynthesis or connecting tendon to bone} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/10: for applying or removing wound clamps {, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple (A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068)}; Wound clamp magazines - A61B 17/8863: {Apparatus for shaping or cutting osteosynthesis equipment by medical personnel} - A61B 2017/0641: {having at least three legs as part of one single body} - A61B 2017/0645: {being elastically deformed for insertion} - A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus and a method are provided for a surgical bending instrument for bending surgical implants. The surgical bending instrument comprises a body including a longitudinally extending threaded hole. A shaft comprising a threaded portion is rotatably engaged within the threaded hole. A handle is coupled to a proximal end of the shaft, and a distal extension of the shaft comprises a driver. A distal force applicator comprises the driver centered between a first grip and a second grip. In some embodiments, the distal force applicator is configured to retain a surgical staple, such that the surgical staple may be changed to a distracted configuration suitable for implantation at a bone fixation or fusion site of a patient. In some embodiments, the distal force applicator is configured to bend a bone fusion plate so as to tailor the plate to specific anatomy of the patient's bone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical bending instrument for bending surgical implants, comprising: a body supporting a distal force applicator and a proximal handle; a first grip and a second grip of the distal forced applicator configured to retain the surgical implant wherein the first and second grips are oppositely orientated from each other; a driver of the distal force applicator configured to exert a distally-directed force so as to bend the surgical implant; and wherein the first and second grips are configured to support a crown of a surgical staple when the driver is placed into forceable contact with the center of the crown and a size indicator configured to indicate at least one size of the surgical staple. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein a shaft is threadably engaged within a longitudinally extending hole within the body, a distal extension of the shaft comprising the driver, and a proximal handle is fixedly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical bending instrument of claim 2, wherein the driver and the shaft are separate components that are engaged with one another. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The surgical bending instrument of claim 2, wherein the shaft communicates mechanical forces applied at the proximal handle to the driver. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The surgical bending instrument of claim 2, wherein rotating the proximal handle relative to the body moves the driver longitudinally relative to the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The surgical bending instrument of claim 2, wherein twisting the proximal handle clockwise moves the driver distally into contact with the crown, such that the surgical staple is clasped between the grips and the driver, wherein further clockwise twisting of the proximal handle changes the surgical staple from an initial configuration to a distracted configuration suitable for implantation across a bone fusion or fixation site of a patient. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The surgical bending instrument of claim 6, wherein twisting the proximal handle counterclockwise retracts the driver proximally away from the crown, allowing the surgical staple to relax from the distracted configuration and compress the bone fusion or fixation site. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein the surgical bending instrument comprises a rigid material suitable for bending surgical implants. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal force applicator is configured to retain a surgical staple, such that the surgical staple may be changed to a distracted configuration suitable for implantation at a bone fixation or fusion site of a patient. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The surgical bending instrument of claim 9, wherein the surgical staple is indicated for fixation of osteotomies and joint arthrodesis of the hands and feet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal force applicator is configured to bend a bone fusion plate so as to tailor the plate to specific anatomy of a patient's bone. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein the driver and the grips operate to retain the surgical staple within the distal force applicator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein the first and second grips engage the surgical staple on opposite sides of the crown. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein the first and second grips have a separation distance comparable with the length of the crown. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The surgical bending instrument of claim 1, wherein the first and second grips are non-adjustable.