Abstract: A rod, screw, rod securing member, and staple assembly for use in conjunction with anterior or lateral spinal rod implant apparatus includes a vertebral body screw and rod coupling member which are loosely coupled by virtue of the head of the screw being held within a contractible volume in the base of the rod coupling member. The volume of the rod coupling member is contractible by virtue of a series of slots formed in the base, which also has a tapered exterior surface. The staple includes a flat portion which has a hole through it and several barbs extending downward from it for gripping the surface of the vertebral bone. The hole in the staple has a rim which is upwardly extending and a tapered interior side wall designed to engage the tapered exterior wall of the rod coupling member such that advancement of the staple relative to the coupling member causes the interior volume to compression lock to the head of the screw.