Patent ID: 7879075

Claim:
A method of producing an apparatus for retaining bone portions in a desired spatial relationship, comprising: providing a fastener having a longitudinal axis, a first threaded end portion engageable with a bone portion and a second end portion; providing a housing having a first passage configured to receive a longitudinal member and a second passage for receiving the fastener, the second passage having a longitudinal axis extending transverse to the first passage, the second passage having an indentation comprising an axially extending surface and an upper surface extending transverse to the axially extending surface; extending the fastener through an opening in the housing into the second passage so that the fastener is pivotable relative to the housing and the longitudinal axis of the fastener is positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to the longitudinal axis of the second passage; and inserting a spacer and spring member arrangement into the second passage of the housing such that a radial surface of the spacer is positioned below the upper surface of the indentation and the spring member contacts the upper surface of the indentation and the radial surface of the spacer, thereby limiting relative movement between the fastener and the housing by creating a frictional engagement that holds the position of the housing relative to the fastener when the longitudinal member is not received in the first passage of the housing.