Patent ID: 8323272

Claim:
A method of programming a medical device implant made with a shape-memory polymer, the implant being in a first state and having a main body, a central longitudinal axis through the body, a first leg extending outward from the body at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and a second leg extending outward from the body at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the method comprising: inserting the main body of the medical device implant into an aperture of a base, the aperture having a cross section generally equal to the cross section of the main body; engaging the main body with an engaging member; heating the medical device implant for a predetermined time while the main body is inserted in the aperture and the engaging member engages the main body; moving the engaging member such that the first and second legs are fully received within the aperture; and compressing the first and second legs around a gage member to form a through-bore between the first and second legs upon removal of the gage member; cooling the medical device implant; and removing the medical device implant from the base, the medical device implant being in a second state wherein the first and second legs are at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis.