Locking instrument assembly

1. 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.

2. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said intermediate body is an orientation base, and said locking instrument assembly further comprises an outer body mounted on said orientation base.

3. The locking instrument assembly of claim 2 , further comprising a translation rod connected to said outer body.

4. The locking instrument assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a rotation lock knob connected to said translation rod.

5. The locking instrument assembly of claim 4 , wherein said orientation base further comprises at least one notch and said rotation lock knob selectively engages said at least one notch.

6. The locking instrument assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a down rod connected to said translation rod.

7. The locking instrument assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a translation lock knob connected to said down rod.

8. The locking instrument assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a cutting guide connected to said down rod.

9. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an instrument attached to said intermediate body.

10. The locking instrument assembly of claim 9 , wherein said intermediate body applies a clamping force to said instrument.

11. The locking instrument assembly of claim 9 , wherein a portion of said intermediate body is angled in order to angle said instrument relative to the intramedullary device.

12. The locking instrument assembly of claim 9 , wherein said instrument is selected from the group consisting of an anterior-posterior cutting block and a valgus alignment guide.

13. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said intermediate body has an angular offset from about one to about ten degrees.

14. The locking instrument assembly of claim 13 , wherein said angular offset is from about four to about seven degrees.

15. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said second end portion has a fastener member, and said knob engages said fastener member.

16. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said knob has a flange, said intermediate body has a shoulder with a recess, and said recess receives said flange.

17. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said inner collet has at least one relief area.

18. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said inner collet and said intermediate body have complementary planar sections.

19. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said inner collet includes a base portion, and said longitudinally extending bore of the inner collet is coaxial with said base portion.

20. The locking instrument assembly of claim 1 , wherein said intermediate body has a face, said knob configured to engage said face to cause said relative motion between said inner collet and said intermediate body.

21. A locking instrument assembly comprising:

a. an inner collet, defining a longitudinally extending bore;

b. an intermediate body adapted to engage said inner collet; and

c. a 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 such that in use said inner collet applies a clamping force to a device positioned within the longitudinally extending bore, 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.