# US 2023/0404366 A1 · Locking mechanisms for endoscopic devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0404366 A1 - Document ID: US20230404366A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/459,849 - Filed: 2023-09-01 - Published: 2023-12-21 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-08 - Assignees: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Applicants: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. - Inventors: Evan WILDER; Scott E. BRECHBIEL; James WELDON; Bridget STANFORD - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230404366A1 ## CPC - A61B 1/00066: {Proximal part of endoscope body, e.g. handles (A61B1/0052 takes precedence)} - A61B 1/00042: {for mechanical operation} - A61B 1/00098: {Deflecting means for inserted tools} - A61B 1/0052: {Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles} - A61B 1/0058: {using shape-memory elements} - A61B 1/018: for receiving instruments - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A medical device may comprise a sheath configured to be inserted into a body lumen of a patient. A distal end of the sheath may include an elevator for changing an orientation of a medical device. A handle may include an actuator. The actuator may be operably connected to the elevator. Activation of the actuator may cause movement of the elevator. An engaging portion may, in at least one configuration of the handle, protrude from a surface of a handle body toward the actuator. A force exerted by the user on at least one of the actuator or the engaging portion may cause the handle to transition between (a) a first configuration in which the engaging portion interacts with the actuator to inhibit movement of the actuator relative to the engaging portion and (b) a second configuration in which the actuator is movable relative to the engaging portion. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-20. (canceled) ### Claim 21 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. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The medical device of claim 21, wherein the actuator includes a lever. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The medical device of claim 21, wherein the button of the actuator further includes a shaft extending radially inward toward the surface of the handle body. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The medical device of claim 23, further comprising a spring, wherein the spring is disposed about the shaft of the button, and wherein the spring is configured to bias the button into an undepressed position. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The medical device of claim 23, wherein at least a portion of the wall extends around the shaft of the button. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The medical device of claim 23, wherein the engaging portion includes a body fixed to a first end of a spring, and wherein a second end of the spring is fixed to the handle body. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The medical device of claim 26, wherein the body is a ball bearing. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The medical device of claim 26, wherein the body of the engaging portion is movably disposed within a cavity of the handle body. ### Claim 29 (depends on 26) The medical device of claim 26, wherein the spring is configured to bias the body radially away from the handle body. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) The medical device of claim 21, wherein, in the first configuration of the actuator, the first portion of the wall is configured to exert a radially inward force on the engaging portion, and wherein, upon exerting the radially inward force on the engaging portion, the engaging portion is forced within the handle body. ### Claim 31 (depends on 21) The medical device of claim 21, wherein, in a locked configuration of the engaging portion and the actuator, at least a portion of the engaging portion extends into at least a portion of the actuator. ### Claim 32 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. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The medical device of claim 32, wherein the actuator includes a button having a shaft extending radially inward toward the surface of the handle body, and wherein at least a portion of the shaft is disposed between the first wall and the second wall. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The medical device of claim 32, wherein the engaging portion includes a body fixed to a first end of a spring, wherein a second end of the spring is fixed to the handle body, and wherein the spring is configured to bias the body radially away from the handle body. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The medical device of claim 32, wherein, upon transitioning the actuator from an unlocked position to the locked position, the angled portion of the first wall is configured to exert a radially inward force on the engaging portion, and wherein, upon exerting the radially inward force on the engaging portion, the engaging portion is forced within the handle body. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The medical device of claim 32, wherein the engaging portion is disposed within a cavity of the handle body. ### Claim 37 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. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein the engaging portion of the handle includes a body fixed to a first end of a spring, and wherein a second end of the spring is fixed to the handle. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The method of claim 38, wherein the spring is configured to bias the engaging portion radially away from the handle. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The method of claim 37, wherein, in the second position, the actuator is aligned with a cavity of the handle, and wherein the engaging portion of the handle is disposed within the cavity.