Torque-transmitting, locking instrument holder and method for operating the instrument holder

An instrument holder, comprising:

• a hollow body having:
• a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a trajectory beginning at the proximal end and ending at the distal end defines a proximal-to-distal direction;
• the proximal end being open to have an instrument inserted into the proximal end in the proximal-to-distal direction and to have the instrument extend through the proximal end in the proximal-to-distal direction;
• and the distal end being open to permit protrusion of the instrument out from the distal end, the hollow body further comprising:
• a handle portion to be gripped by an operator;
• and an actuator to be activated by the operator to move said handle portion between a locked position and an unlocked position;
• a clamping plate disposed within said actuator;
• said clamping plate comprising a plurality of partial-plates, wherein:
• in said locked position, said handle portion is locked to the instrument such that movement of said handle imparts movement to the instrument;
• and in said unlocked position, said handle portion is unlocked from the instrument such that the instrument is slidable within said hollow body.