Bending instrument and methods of using same

A bending instrument, comprising:

• a first lever assembly comprising a first lever, the first lever having a distal end that defines a channel;
• a second lever assembly comprising a second lever and a first bending member, the second lever having a distal end that defines a channel, wherein the first bending member is mounted thereon a distal portion of the second lever and extends substantially perpendicular to a first side wall of the second lever along a common axis, and wherein the first lever is configured for pivotal motion relative to the second lever;
• a gear assembly rotatively coupled to the distal portion of the second lever and configured for rotation about the common axis, the gear assembly defining a lobe and having a second bending member, wherein the second bending member is mounted thereon a portion of the lobe and extends substantially perpendicular to the lobe, and
• means for angularly rotating the second bending member of the gear assembly about the common axis and angularly about the first bending member upon the pivotal rotation of the first lever relative to the second lever.

A method of bending a surgical implant, the method comprising:

• providing a bending instrument, the bending instrument comprising:
• a first lever assembly comprising a first lever and a first bending member, wherein the first bending member is mounted thereon a distal portion of the first lever and extends substantially perpendicular to a first side wall of the first lever along a common axis;
• a second lever assembly comprising a second lever, the second lever having a distal end that defines a channel, wherein the second lever is configured for pivotal motion relative to the first lever;
• a gear assembly rotatively coupled to the distal portion of the first lever and configured for rotation about the common axis, the gear assembly defining a lobe and having a second bending member, wherein the second bending member is mounted thereon a portion of the lobe and extends substantially perpendicular to the lobe;
• and
• selectively pivoting the second lever relative to the first lever to effect angular rotation of the second bending member of the gear assembly about the common axis and angularly about the first bending member such that the second bending member applies a bending force to a portion of the surgical implant such that the surgical implant is bent at a bending point proximate the bending surface of the first bending member.