Patent ID: 8298242
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. 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.