Patent ID: 7569064

Claim:
A surgical method, comprising: providing a clamp assembly, comprising a clamp including a first arm and a second arm, wherein said arms are spaced apart along at least a portion of their length; a plurality of pins associated with said first arm; and a locking plate associated with said second arm; wherein said clamp is movable from an open position to a closed position; placing said clamp in said open position relative to an anatomic feature such that the anatomic feature is located between said arms; and moving said clamp to said closed position, wherein said moving causes said pins to penetrate through the anatomic feature and into said locking plate; and moving said locking plate relative to said pins after said moving said clamp to said closed position; wherein said moving said locking plate locks said pins in place relative to said locking plate; wherein said clamp is held in said closed position as a consequence of said moving said locking plate.