Locking mechanisms for endoscopic devices

A medical device comprising:

• a handle having a handle body, wherein the handle includes:
• an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to control a position of an elevator of the medical device, wherein activation of the actuator causes movement of the elevator, wherein the actuator includes a wall, wherein, in a first configuration of the actuator, a first portion of the wall has a first angle with respect to a surface of the handle body, and wherein, in a second configuration of the actuator, the first portion of the wall has a second angle with respect to the surface of the handle body, wherein the second angle is different from the first angle;
• and
• an engaging portion, wherein, in at least one of the first configuration of the actuator or the second configuration of the actuator, at least a portion of the engaging portion protrudes from the surface of the handle body toward the actuator;
• wherein an interaction between the engaging portion and the actuator is configured to lock the actuator, thereby inhibiting movement of the elevator, and wherein pressing a button on at least one of (a) the surface of the handle body or (b) the actuator is configured to unlock the actuator, thereby allowing movement of the elevator.

A medical device comprising:

• a handle having a handle body, wherein the handle includes:
• an actuator, wherein activation of the actuator causes movement of an elevator, wherein the actuator includes a first wall and a second wall, wherein, in a first configuration of the actuator, the first wall is parallel to the second wall, and wherein, in a second configuration of the actuator, a portion of the first wall is angled with respect to the second wall;
• and
• an engaging portion protruding from a surface of the handle body;
• wherein, in a locked position of the actuator, at least a portion of the engaging portion is disposed between the first wall and the second wall, and wherein, in the locked position of the actuator, movement of the elevator is inhibited.

A method comprising:

• pressing a button of an actuator of a handle, wherein, upon pressing the button, a portion of a first wall of the actuator is angled relative to a second wall of the actuator;
• moving the actuator from a first position relative to a surface of the handle to a second position relative to the surface of the handle, thereby moving an elevator of a distal tip of a medical device from a first position to a second position, wherein upon moving the actuator from the first position to the second position, the portion of the first wall of the actuator is configured to exert a radially inward force on an engaging portion of the handle;
• and
• releasing the button of the actuator, wherein, upon releasing the button, the portion of the first wall is parallel to the second wall and at least a portion of the engaging portion of the handle is disposed between the first wall and the second wall.