US 8,298,242 B2Granted

Systems, devices and methods for bending an elongate member

AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.

InventorsJeff R Justis, Dimitri K Protopsaltis, Hai H Trieu

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Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for bending an elongate member used in a medical procedure. In one form, the device includes a bending mechanism having a plurality of engaging members are selectively positioned relative to a receiving area. In one embodiment, a first set of engaging members is positioned in a select arrangement, and a second set of the engaging members is movable relative to the select arrangement of the first set of engaging members to compressingly engage the elongate member to bend the elongate member to a desired shape/contour. The device also includes a heating element configured to apply heat to one or more portions of the elongate member to facilitate bending. In one form, the elongate member is formed of a heat deformable material, and heat is applied to soften one or more portions of the elongate member to provide added flexibility to facilitate bending.

Claims29

Dependent claims

A device for bending an elongate member used in a medical procedure, comprising:

a bending mechanism including
a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first lateral side wall and a second lateral side wall, a front wall and a back wall, wherein a surface of the top wall defines a first set of a plurality of elongated apertures and a second set of a plurality of elongated apertures;
a receiving area and a plurality of engaging members, said receiving area extending generally along a longitudinal axis and sized to receive the elongate member, a first set of said engaging members positioned on a first side of said receiving area and being configured to move laterally and rotationally within the first set of elongated apertures for selective positioning of the first set of elongated members at select locations along the first set of elongated apertures and a second set of said engaging members positioned on a second side of said receiving area opposite said first side, the second set of engaging members being configured to move laterally and rotationally within the second set of elongated apertures for selective positioning of the second set of elongated members at select locations along the second set of elongated apertures and wherein at least some of said engaging members are movable in a lateral direction to position said movable engaging members at select locations to compressingly engage the elongate member between said first and second sets of engaging members to form one or more bends in the elongate member;
and
a heating element configured to apply heat to one or more portions of the elongate member when the elongate member is positioned in said receiving area to facilitate bending of the elongate member by said bending mechanism.

2 more elements

A system for bending an elongate rod used in a medical procedure, comprising:

a bending device, including:
a housing having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first lateral side wall and a second lateral side wall, a front wall and a back wall, wherein a surface of the top wall defines a first set of a plurality of elongated apertures and a second set of a plurality of elongated apertures;
a rod receiving area extending generally along a longitudinal axis;
a first rod engaging portion including a first set of rod engaging members positioned on a first side of said rod receiving area and the first set of rod engaging members being configured to move laterally and rotationally within the first set of elongated apertures for selective positioning of the first set of rod engaging members at select locations along the first set of elongated apertures;
a second rod engaging portion including a second set of rod engaging members positioned on a second side of said rod receiving area opposite said first side and the second set of rod engaging members being configured to move laterally and rotationally within the second set of elongated apertures for selective positioning of the second set of elongated members at select locations along the second set of elongated apertures;
A connector configured to connect said rod engaging member to said top wall of said housing;
an elongate spinal rod formed of a heat deformable material, said elongate spinal rod positioned within said rod receiving area of said bending device;
and a heating element arranged to apply heat to one or more portions of said elongate spinal rod to increase flexibility of said one or more portions to facilitate bending of said elongate spinal rod;
and wherein at least some of said rod engaging members are movable in a lateral direction to position said movable rod engaging members at select locations to compressingly engage said elongate spinal rod between said first and second sets of rod engaging members to form one or more bends in said elongate spinal rod, and wherein threading of said connector fixes the rod engaging member to the housing and unthreading of said connector unclamps the rod engaging members from the housing allowing for adjustment of the position and orientation of the rod engaging members.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 12/770,921Filed 30 Apr 2010
Published: US 2011/0270262 A13 Nov 2011
Granted: 30 Oct 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

A61B 17/8863
Osteosynthesis instruments; Methods or means for implanting or extracting internal or external fixation devices: apparatus for shaping or cutting…
A61B 17/7013
Longitudinal element being non-straight, e.g. curved, angled or branched: the shape of the element being adjustable before use
A61B
Medical diagnosis and surgery