Patent ID: 8052691

Claim:
A device for attaching a fixation element to bone, the device defining a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the device comprising: a handle having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the handle having an internal channel; a spring cover attached to the handle, the spring cover having a central opening in communication with the internal channel of the handle; a holding sleeve having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the holding sleeve distal portion located distal to the distal portion of the handle and adapted to retain at least a proximal portion of a fixation element, wherein the holding sleeve designed to telescopically travel within the central opening of the spring cover, and the distal portion of the holding sleeve defines a distal contact surface; a shaft member having a proximal end located within the internal channel of the handle and a distal end located outside of the internal channel of the handle, the shaft member having a distal tip at the distal end located within the holding sleeve, the shaft member having a shoulder within the internal channel of the handle; a firing spring positioned within the internal channel of the handle and adjacent the proximal end of the shaft member for resiliently biasing the shaft member in a distal axial direction; a firing button located on the distal portion of the handle, the button having a ledge located on its proximal end for engaging the shoulder of the shaft member when the firing spring is in a loaded position; and a distal spring located within the spring cover and distal to the firing button, wherein the distal spring biases the holding sleeve distally; wherein applying a proximally directed force against the distal contact surface of the holding sleeve causes the shaft to move to the firing spring to the loaded position.