Patent ID: 8235998

Claim:
A system for bending a surgical construct, comprising: an elongate spinal implant; a proximal handle portion extending along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal shaft portion opposite said proximal end; and a bending mechanism including at least one first implant engaging member pivotally coupled to said distal shaft portion and a second implant engaging member, said first and second implant engaging members each including a channel extending therethrough for receiving said elongate spinal implant in a transverse orientation to said longitudinal axis, said bending mechanism including a first drive member coupled to said distal shaft portion and a second drive member coupled to said first implant engaging member, wherein said bending mechanism is operable to articulate said first implant engaging member relative to said distal shaft portion and said second implant engaging member to change an angular orientation of said first implant engaging member relative to said longitudinal axis to bend said elongate spinal implant when positioned in said channels of said first and second implant engaging members, further comprising a heating element in said first implant engaging member, said heating element extending along said channel and being arranged to apply heat to a portion of said elongate spinal implant when said elongate spinal implant is positioned within said channel of first said implant engaging member.