Devices, assemblies, kits, systems and methods for shaping of elongated elements containing thermoplastic polymers

A method of bending of an elongated assembly, the method comprising:

• providing an elongated assembly, the elongated assembly comprising:
• an elongated orthopedic implant comprising a thermoplastic polymer, the elongated orthopedic implant comprising a bending region in which the elongated orthopedic implant is to be bent, the bending region having a length;
• and
• a transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device surrounding completely and supporting the elongated orthopedic implant along the entire length of the bending region of the elongated orthopedic implant, such that the transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device maintains a shape and prevents distortion of a transverse cross-sectional profile of the elongated orthopedic implant in the bending region during bending upon heating of the elongated assembly,
• heating the elongated assembly using a heating device to provide a heated elongated assembly;
• configuring a bending device according to a desired bending profile of the elongated orthopedic implant;
• bending the heated elongated assembly by the bending device to provide a bended elongated assembly comprising a bended elongated orthopedic implant having the desired bending profile while maintaining the shape and preventing the distortion of the transverse cross-sectional profile in the bending region of the elongated orthopedic implant by the transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device;
• and
• releasing the transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device from the elongated orthopedic implant.