Apparatus for retaining bone portions in a desired spatial relationship

An apparatus comprising:

• a member connectable with a bone portion, said member having an elongate slot;
• a fastener for connecting said member to the bone portion having a longitudinal axis, said fastener having a first end portion engageable with the bone portion and a second end portion extending through said elongate slot in said member;
• a connecting ring for connecting said member to said fastener, said connecting ring extending into said elongate slot in said member and being positionable in any one of a plurality of positions along said elongate slot relative to said member, said connecting ring having a passage with a longitudinal axis through which said second end portion of said fastener extends, said fastener being positionable in any one of a plurality of angular positions relative to said connecting ring so that said longitudinal axis of said fastener extends at any one of a plurality of angles to said longitudinal axis of said passage in said connecting ring, said connecting ring having first and second portions engageable with each other to connect said connecting ring to said member, said second portion of said connecting ring extending into an opening in said first portion;
• and
• a clamping member engaging said second end portion of said fastener and said connecting ring to connect said connecting ring to said member in any one of said plurality of positions relative to said member and connect said fastener in any one of said plurality of angular positions relative to said connecting ring.