Patent ID: 8277450

Claim:
A locking instrument assembly for use in conjunction with an intramedullary device, the assembly comprising: a. an inner collet, said inner collet having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longitudinally extending bore, said first end portion having a collar, and said bore adapted to receive the intramedullary device; b. an intermediate body, said intermediate body having an inner portion and an outer portion, the inner portion defining a longitudinally extending bore, said inner portion adapted to engage said collar; and c. a knob, said knob having a longitudinally extending bore, said knob adapted to engage said intermediate body and to couple to said inner collet to cause relative motion between said inner collet and said intermediate body, said inner collet and said intermediate body configured such that said relative motion causes said inner collet to apply a clamping force to the intramedullary device, wherein, when assembled the inner collet and the knob define a common, central longitudinal axis and the intermediate body defines a central longitudinal axis that is angularly offset relative to the common axis.