Patent ID: 7174615

Claim:
A method of securing a screw while implanting into a body comprising: providing a screw having an aperture in a screwhead; providing a device comprising: a longitudinal shank having a central axis, a rear end and front end; a spindle, located at the front end of the longitudinal shank and concentric to the central axis, having front and rear ends, a substantially polygonal-shaped cross-section with a plurality of rounded edges and a plurality of concave side surfaces, a groove substantially parallel to the central axis, and a borehole coextensive with the groove; and a spring wire having top and bottom portions, and a bend positioned between the top and bottom portions, wherein the bottom portion is inserted into the borehole and the top portion is inserted into the grove and has a free end, wherein the top portion projects transversely away from the central axis such that the free end of the top portion distal to the bend is further away from the central axis than any other portion of the top portion when the spring wire is unstressed, the spindle being receivable into a screwhead aperture of the screw so that the top portion of the spring wire secures the screw in position, and wherein the groove and the borehole are flush with one of the plurality of rounded edges and one of the plurality of concave side surfaces; inserting the spindle into the aperture resulting in stress to the spring wire, wherein upon application of the stress, the spring wire holds the screw in a steady position.