| CPC B29C 53/083 (2013.01) [A61B 17/68 (2013.01); B29C 53/84 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); B29K 2101/12 (2013.01); B29L 2031/7532 (2013.01)] | 6 Claims |

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1. A method of bending of an elongated assembly, the method comprising:
providing an elongated assembly, the elongated assembly having a length and comprising:
an elongated orthopedic implant comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and
a transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device surrounding completely and supporting the elongated orthopedic implant along the entire length of the elongated orthopedic implant, such that the transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device maintains a shape and prevents distortion of a transverse cross-sectional profile of the elongated orthopedic implant during shaping upon heating of the elongated assembly,
heating the elongated assembly using a heating device to provide a heated elongated assembly;
configuring a bending device according to a desired bending profile of the elongated orthopedic implant;
bending the heated elongated assembly by the bending device to provide a bended elongated assembly comprising a bended elongated orthopedic implant having the desired bending profile while maintaining the shape and preventing the distortion of the transverse cross-sectional profile of the elongated orthopedic implant by the transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device;
cooling the bended elongated assembly; and
releasing the transverse cross-sectional profile maintaining device from the elongated orthopedic implant.
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