jaw 10 so that it automatically locks the clamping jaw in place once the jaw is positioned inside opening 66 locking pin 41 is moved away from catch 64 using pin release handle 76 against the force of spring 74 so that clamping jaw 10 can be released from housing 30 in a different embodiment locking pin 41 could be replaced by a spring loaded sphere pressed against catch 64 with sufficient force to retain clamping jaw 10 in place in pin applicator 22 while allowing separation of the two components if they are pulled apart no actuator to release the two components is required for this embodiment the operation of the fixation device according to the invention is described in the following with reference to fig1 and 7 clamping jaws 10 are initially fitted with the selected retaining pin 14 then the fixation pin applicator is connected to the clamping jaw with a selected fixation pin 20 being inserted this clamping jaw provided with pins 14 and 20 is placed over the portion of bone 18 where implantation is to occur and the appropriate perforations in the skin are marked for each of the pins or for each prong of the pins when applicable a lengthwise incision approximately 8 to 10 mm long is made in the skin with a scalpel the soft tissues are scraped away using a raspatory and the bone is exposed down to the periosteum the selected retaining pins 14 attached to clamping jaw 10 are then introduced into the soft tissues between the bone and the raspatory until retaining pins 14 gain a sufficient grip in the vicinity of the rear edge of the bone 18 then fixation pin 20 also connected to clamping jaw 10 is introduced by means of fixation pin applicator.