Patent Description:
Duodenoscopes may include a handle and a sheath insertable into a body lumen of a subject. The sheath may terminate in a distal tip portion, which may include features such as optical elements (e.g., camera, lighting), air/water outlets, and working channel openings. An elevator may be disposed at a distal tip and may be actuatable in order to change an orientation of a medical device/tool passed through the working channel. For example, the elevator may be pivotable or otherwise movable.

Elements in the handle may control the elements of the distal tip. For example, buttons, knobs, levers, etc. may control elements of the distal tip. The elevator may be controlled via a control mechanism in a handle, such as a lever, which may be attached to a control wire that attaches to the elevator. When an actuator (e.g., a lever) is actuated, the wire may move proximally and/or distally, thereby raising and/or lowering the elevator.

<CIT> discloses a medical device that includes a sheath extending longitudinally from a proximal end to a distal end and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the sheath. The handle includes a deflection lever coupled thereto. The deflection lever is rotatable proximally and distally along the handle to deflect a distal end of the shaft to which it is operably coupled and a locking mechanism movable between an locked configuration in which the locking mechanism engages an engagement feature on the outer surface of the handle, preventing the deflection lever from rotating and locking the distal end of the shaft in a desired position, and an unlocked configuration in which the locking mechanism releases the engagement feature to allow rotation of the deflection lever and deflection of the distal end of the shaft.

<CIT> describes a medical instrument that has a shaft whose distal end can be bent and whose proximal end is connected to a handle. A bending mechanism is provided for bending the shaft. The bending mechanism has a pivotable control element which is arranged on an outside of the handle. A locking mechanism is used to lock the pivotable control element in different pivoting positions and has an actuating element, the actuation of which releases the locking mechanism. It is proposed that a plate protrudes from the outside of the handle, on the opposite side walls of which brake elements rest, which are connected to the pivotable control element and which are biased in the direction of the side walls in such a way that they lock the pivoting of the control element. The actuating element is connected to the braking elements in such a way that actuation of the actuating element brings the braking elements out of locking engagement with the plate.

Each of the aspects disclosed herein may include one or more of the features described in connection with any of the other disclosed aspects.

The invention is defined by a handle of a medical device according to independent claim <NUM>.

Any of the handles disclosed herein may have any of the following features. The feature may be biased into the first configuration. A spring may bias the feature into the first configuration. The lock may include a bar. A shaft may extend radially inward, relative to a housing of the handle, from the bar to the feature. At least a portion of the actuator and the feature may extend away from the shaft in the same direction. The feature may be substantially parallel to at least a portion of the actuator. The shaft may extend radially through an opening in the actuator. The lock may include the bar. The bar may extend laterally through an opening in the actuator. The plurality of teeth may face radially inward relative to a housing of the handle. The plurality of the teeth may face laterally outward relative to a housing of the handle. The rack may be curved. The rack may be recessed within a surface of the handle. The lock may be movable in a radial direction relative to a housing of the handle. A shape of the teeth may complement a shape of the feature.

In another example, a handle of a medical device may comprise: a rotatable actuator; a lock radially movable relative to the actuator and configured to radially move a feature relative to the actuator; and a rack having plurality of teeth separated from one another by a plurality of gaps. The lock may be configured to move the feature radially inward toward a handle housing from (a) a first configuration, in which the feature is disposed in a gap of the plurality of gaps, between two of the plurality of teeth, such that the two teeth inhibit the lever from rotating, to (b) a second configuration, in which the feature is disposed radially inward of the teeth, such that the actuator is rotatable.

Any of the handles described herein may have the following features. The feature may be biased into the first configuration.

In another example, a method of operating a medical device may comprise: with an actuator in a first position, depressing a lock radially inward relative to the actuator, thereby moving a feature radially inward of teeth of a stationary rack gear; while depressing the lock, rotating the actuator to a second position; and with the actuator in the second position, releasing the lock, thereby moving the feature so that the teeth inhibit movement of the feature in a direction of movement of the actuator.

Any of the methods or devices disclosed herein may have any of the following features. The method may further comprise: with the actuator in the second position, depressing the lock radially inward relative to the actuator, thereby moving the feature radially inward of the teeth of the stationary rack gear; while depressing the lock, rotating the actuator to a third position; and with the actuator in the third position, releasing the lock, thereby moving the feature so that the teeth inhibit movement of the feature in a direction of movement of the actuator. The lock may include a bar or a button.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. The term "diameter" may refer to a width where an element is not circular. The term "distal" refers to a direction away from an operator, and the term "proximal" refers to a direction toward an operator. The term "exemplary" is used in the sense of "example," rather than "ideal. " The term "approximately," or like terms (e.g., "substantially"), includes values +/- <NUM>% of a stated value.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects this disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

It may be desirable to lock actuators or controllers of medical devices (for example, levers) of duodenoscopes in a desired position. For example, it may be desirable to retain a lever that controls an elevator in a desired position. Such locks may free an operator to make use of a finger that would otherwise be used to retain the lever in position. Furthermore, the lever may require a high amount of force from an operator to retain the lever in place without a locking/retaining mechanism. Locking/retaining mechanisms may help to avoid fatigue by the user. The examples disclosed herein use fixed gear structures to lock/retain an actuator (e.g., a lever) in a desired position. Although elevator levers are described herein, it will be appreciated that the disclosed levers may also be used for other types of controls (e.g., steering of a distal tip of the duodenoscope).

<FIG> depicts an exemplary duodenoscope <NUM> having a handle <NUM> and an insertion portion <NUM>. <FIG> shows a proximal end of handle <NUM>. Duodenoscope <NUM> may also include an umbilicus <NUM> for purposes of connecting duodenoscope <NUM> to sources of, for example, air, water, suction, power, etc., as well as to image processing and/or viewing equipment. Although the term duodenoscope may be used herein, it will be appreciated that other devices, including, but not limited to, endoscopes, colonoscopes, ureteroscopes, bronchoscopes, laparoscopes, sheaths, catheters, or any other suitable delivery device or medical device that may include an elevator or another actuatable distal tip component, may be used in connection with the devices and manufacturing methods of this disclosure. Although side-facing devices are particularly discussed, the embodiments described herein may also be used with front-facing endoscopes (e.g., endoscopes where a viewing element faces longitudinally forward) or any other device where a user may desire the ability to lock or unlock a portion of the device.

Insertion portion <NUM> may include a sheath or shaft <NUM> and a distal tip <NUM>. Distal tip <NUM> may include an imaging device <NUM> (e.g., a camera) and a lighting source <NUM> (e.g., an LED or an optical fiber). Distal tip <NUM> may be side-facing. That is, imaging device <NUM> and lighting source <NUM> may face radially outward, perpendicularly, approximately perpendicularly, or otherwise transverse to a longitudinal axis of shaft <NUM> and distal tip <NUM>.

Distal tip <NUM> may also include an elevator <NUM> for changing an orientation of a tool inserted in a working channel of duodenoscope <NUM>. Elevator <NUM> may alternatively be referred to as a swing stand, pivot stand, raising base, or any suitable other term. Elevator <NUM> may be pivotable via, e.g., an actuation wire or another control element that extends from handle <NUM>, through shaft <NUM>, to elevator <NUM>.

A distal portion of shaft <NUM> that is connected to distal tip <NUM> may have a steerable section <NUM>. Steerable section <NUM> may be, for example, an articulation joint. Shaft <NUM> and steerable section <NUM> may include a variety of structures which are known or may become known in the art.

Handle <NUM> may have one or more actuators/control mechanisms <NUM>. Control mechanisms <NUM> may provide control over steerable section <NUM> or may allow for provision of air, water, suction, etc. For example, handle <NUM> may include control knobs <NUM>, <NUM> for left, right, up, and/or down control of steerable section <NUM>. For example, one of knobs <NUM>, <NUM> may provide left/right control of steerable section <NUM>, and the other of knobs <NUM>, <NUM> may provide up/down control of steerable section <NUM>. Handle <NUM> may further include one or more locking mechanisms <NUM> (e.g., knobs or levers) for preventing steering of steerable section <NUM> in at least one of an up, down, left, or right direction. Handle <NUM> may include an elevator control lever <NUM> (see <FIG>). Elevator control lever <NUM> may raise and/or lower elevator <NUM>, via connection between lever <NUM> and an actuating wire that extends from lever <NUM>, through shaft <NUM>, to elevator <NUM>. A port <NUM> may allow passage of a tool through port <NUM>, into a working channel of the duodenoscope <NUM>, through sheath <NUM>, to distal tip <NUM>.

In use an operator may insert at least a portion of shaft <NUM> into a body lumen of a subject. Distal tip <NUM> may be navigated to a procedure site in the body lumen. The operator may insert a tool (not shown) into port <NUM>, and pass the tool through shaft <NUM> via a working channel to distal tip <NUM>. The tool may exit the working channel at distal tip <NUM>. The user may use elevator control lever <NUM> to raise elevator <NUM> and angle the tool toward a desired location (e.g., a papilla of the pancreaticobiliary tract). The user may use the tool to perform a medical procedure.

<FIG> and <FIG> disclose views of a handle <NUM>, which may have any of the properties of handle <NUM> of <FIG>. Handle <NUM> may have a locking/retaining mechanism <NUM>. Handle <NUM> may have an elevator control lever <NUM>, having any of the properties of elevator control lever <NUM> of <FIG>. Locking mechanism <NUM> includes a stationary rack gear <NUM> and features of elevator control lever <NUM> that interact with rack gear <NUM> in order to retain/lock elevator control lever <NUM> in a desired position.

Elevator control lever <NUM> may include a lever body <NUM> and a cross bar <NUM>. Cross bar <NUM> may be an actuator for locking/retaining and/or releasing elevator control lever <NUM>, in a desired position. A radially outer surface <NUM> of cross bar <NUM> may extend radially outwardly from lever body <NUM>. Radially outer surface <NUM> of cross bar <NUM> may extend radially outwardly from lever body <NUM> by only a small amount in order to facilitate a user contacting lever body <NUM> and cross bar <NUM> without any uncomfortable protrusions. Cross-bar <NUM> may extend laterally (e.g., substantially perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of handle <NUM>) through at least a portion of elevator control lever <NUM>. Elevator control lever <NUM> may have an opening (e.g., a slit) extending at least partially therethrough for receiving cross bar <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, cross bar <NUM> may include an arm/shaft <NUM> that extends radially inward from radially outer surface <NUM>. A feature, such as a tooth <NUM>, may be disposed at a radially inward end of arm <NUM>. Tooth <NUM> and lever body <NUM> may extend in substantially the same direction away from arm <NUM>. A radially outward portion of cross bar <NUM> (having surface <NUM>), arm <NUM>, and tooth <NUM> may form a substantially C-shape. Tooth <NUM> may extend laterally inward (in a direction toward a center of handle <NUM>). Tooth <NUM> may have a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. First end <NUM> may be flat, and second end <NUM> may be curved. Alternative shapes may be used for first end <NUM> and second end <NUM> within the scope of the disclosure. A radially outer surface <NUM> of cross bar <NUM> (and other portions of cross bar <NUM>) may extend further in the lateral direction than tooth <NUM> does, in order to facilitate tooth <NUM> engaging with stationary rack <NUM>, as discussed in further detail below. Cross-bar <NUM> (including arm <NUM> and tooth <NUM>) may be substantially flat (i.e., side surfaces of cross-bar <NUM> may be planar).

Elevator control lever <NUM> and cross bar <NUM> may include any suitable material. For example, elevator control lever <NUM> and/or cross bar <NUM> may include polymers (e.g., plastic), composites, or metal. In one example, elevator control lever <NUM> may be formed from plastic, and cross bar <NUM> may be formed from metal. Elevator control lever <NUM> may be formed of a single, unitary material or a plurality of components secured to one another. Cross-bar <NUM> may be formed of a single, unitary material or a plurality of components secured to one another.

Stationary rack gear <NUM> may include a plurality of teeth <NUM>, separated from one another by gaps <NUM>. Rack gear <NUM> may have a curved shape, to match an arcuate path traveled by elevator control lever <NUM> when lever <NUM> is actuated. Teeth <NUM> may extend in a laterally outward direction (away from a center of handle <NUM>). As shown in <FIG>, each tooth <NUM> may have a ledge <NUM> that extends further in a lateral direction than a remainder of tooth <NUM>. A body <NUM> of tooth <NUM> may be recessed from ledge <NUM> and may have a rounded/arcuate radially inner surface. A shape of teeth <NUM> and gaps <NUM> may complement a shape of tooth <NUM>. For example, rounded/arcuate radially inner surface of body <NUM> may complement a rounded shape of tooth <NUM>.

Stationary rack gear <NUM> may be formed integrally with a housing of handle <NUM>. Alternatively, stationary rack gear <NUM> may be a separate piece that is fixedly attached to a housing of handle <NUM>. Stationary rack gear <NUM> may be one single piece or may be formed from a plurality of pieces. Stationary rack gear <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials (including, e.g., polymer, such as plastic, composite, or metal).

In operation, a user may make contact with lever body <NUM> of elevator control lever <NUM> in order to raise or lower the elevator. In doing so, the user may depress cross bar <NUM> in a radially inward direction, by exerting a radially inward force on radially outward surface <NUM> of cross bar <NUM>. Cross-bar <NUM> may be rigid such that tooth <NUM> moves radially inward. As cross bar <NUM> is depressed, a radially outward surface of tooth <NUM> of cross bar <NUM> may move radially inward of ledge <NUM>, such that tooth <NUM> does not interfere with teeth <NUM> of gear rack <NUM>. Thus, when cross bar <NUM> is depressed, the user may move elevator control lever <NUM> to raise or lower the elevator.

Cross-bar <NUM> may be biased in a radially outward direction to the configuration of <FIG>. For example, cross bar <NUM> may have shape memory properties, or a spring may exert a radially outward force on cross bar <NUM>. Alternatively, cross bar <NUM> may attach to lever <NUM> via a living hinge or other biased hinge, so that a normal (i.e., relaxed) position of cross bar <NUM> is as shown in <FIG>. Cross-bar <NUM> therefore moves relative to lever <NUM>. Therefore, when the user releases contact from surface <NUM> of cross bar <NUM>, cross bar <NUM> may move radially outward to the configuration of <FIG>. In the configuration of FIG. 2F, tooth <NUM> may be positioned within gap <NUM> such that tooth <NUM> interferes with teeth <NUM> of stationary gear rack <NUM> (e.g., tooth <NUM> may be between two adjacent <NUM>) along a direction of movement of lever <NUM>. In the configuration of <FIG>, a position of tooth <NUM> of cross bar <NUM> may prevent elevator control lever <NUM> from being moved to raise or lower the elevator. Interaction between cross bar <NUM> and stationary rack gear <NUM> may thus retain elevator control lever <NUM> in a desired position (e.g., locking elevator control lever <NUM>).

Because stationary rack gear <NUM> may have a plurality of teeth <NUM> and gaps <NUM>, locking mechanism <NUM> may serve to retain elevator control lever <NUM> within a plurality of positions, and therefore retain elevator <NUM> in any of a number of positions. A user may choose a position at which to lock elevator control <NUM>. The user may also depress cross bar <NUM> to move elevator control lever <NUM> and then release cross bar <NUM> to retain/lock elevator control lever <NUM> in a new position.

<FIG> and <FIG> depict an alternative handle <NUM>, which may have any of the properties of handles <NUM> or <NUM>, except as specified below. Some of the structures of <FIG> are transparent on <FIG>, in order to show details of particular aspects. Where feasible, parallel reference numbers are used to denote like structures between handles <NUM> and <NUM>. Handle <NUM> may include a locking mechanism <NUM>. Locking mechanism <NUM> may include an elevator control lever <NUM> that interacts with a stationary rack gear <NUM>.

Elevator control lever <NUM> may have a lever body <NUM> (shown in <FIG> but omitted from <FIG> for clarity). Lever body <NUM> may have an angled shape that conforms to a surface of handle <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, lever body <NUM> may have two segments <NUM>, <NUM> that extend along a substantially radial direction. Between segments <NUM> and <NUM> is a segment <NUM> that extends substantially laterally, perpendicular to segments <NUM> and <NUM>. A radially outer end of segment <NUM> may be joined to a segment <NUM> that extends substantially parallel to segment <NUM>. Segment <NUM> may form an end of lever body <NUM>. Lever body <NUM> may be one single piece or may be formed from a plurality of pieces. Lever body <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials (including, e.g., polymer, such as plastic, composite, or metal).

A button <NUM> may extend approximately parallel to segment <NUM> and may be disposed radially outward of segment <NUM>. Button <NUM> may be an actuator for locking/retaining lever <NUM> in a desired position and/or releasing/unlocking lever <NUM>. A spring <NUM> may extend between segment <NUM> of lever body <NUM> and button <NUM>. Button <NUM> may be movable in a substantially radial direction, approximately parallel to segments <NUM> and <NUM>. Spring <NUM> may bias button <NUM> in a substantially radially outward direction (which, as discussed below, may be a locked configuration). Other, alternative means may also be used to bias button <NUM> radially outward, into a configuration in which button <NUM> is not depressed. For example, button <NUM> may have shape memory properties.

A shaft <NUM> may be fixed to and extend radially inward from button <NUM> (e.g., from an end of button <NUM>). Shaft <NUM> may extend substantially parallel to segments <NUM> and <NUM>. Segment <NUM> may be disposed between shaft <NUM> and a housing of handle <NUM>. Shaft <NUM> may extend radially inward through an opening in segment <NUM> and may be movable relative to lever body <NUM>, along with button <NUM>. Button <NUM> and shaft <NUM> may be one single piece or may be formed from a plurality of pieces. Button <NUM> and shaft <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials (including, e.g., polymer, such as plastic, composite, or metal).

Housing <NUM> may enclose one or more of segment <NUM>, segment <NUM>, spring <NUM>, and/or portions of shaft <NUM> that are radially outward of segment <NUM>. Button <NUM> and shaft <NUM> may be movable relative to housing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a feature, such as a peg <NUM>, may extend laterally inward from shaft <NUM>, substantially parallel to segments <NUM> and <NUM>. Peg <NUM> may extend in a direction toward an interior of handle <NUM> (toward segment <NUM>). Peg <NUM>, segment <NUM>, and button <NUM> may extend away from shaft <NUM> in substantially the same direction. Peg <NUM>, shaft <NUM>, and button <NUM> may form approximately a C-shape. Peg <NUM> may have, for example, a rounded shape or any other suitable shape. Peg <NUM> and shaft <NUM> may be one single piece or may be formed from a plurality of pieces. Peg <NUM> and shaft <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials (including, e.g., polymer, such as plastic, composite, or metal).

Stationary rack gear <NUM> may be formed on a surface of a housing of handle <NUM> that faces radially inward. For example, stationary rack gear <NUM> may be a cut-out formed in a housing of handle <NUM>. A plurality of teeth <NUM> and a plurality of gaps <NUM> between teeth <NUM> may be formed on the radially-inward facing surface of the housing of handle <NUM>. Teeth <NUM> may face/extend radially inward. Because stationary rack gear <NUM> is formed on a cutout, teeth <NUM> may not interfere with a finger/hand of a user (which may cause an operator's glove to rip, for example). Stationary rack gear <NUM> may have a curved shape to correspond to a path of motion of lever <NUM>.

Gaps <NUM> may have a curved (e.g., substantially semicircular) cross-sectional shape. Alternatively, gaps <NUM> may have another shape. A shape of gaps <NUM> may complement a shape of peg <NUM>.

Stationary rack <NUM> may be integrally formed with a housing of handle <NUM> or may be a separate piece from the housing of handle <NUM>. Stationary rack <NUM> may be one single piece or may be formed from a plurality of pieces. Stationary rack <NUM> may be formed from any suitable material or combination of materials (including, e.g., polymer, such as plastic, composite, or metal).

In operation, a user may depress button <NUM>, which may move shaft <NUM> in a substantially radially inward direction, thereby moving peg <NUM> in a substantially radially inward direction. Peg <NUM>, when moved in a substantially radially inward direction, may clear teeth <NUM> of stationary gear rack <NUM>, such that teeth <NUM> do not interfere with peg <NUM>. In other words, an entirety of peg <NUM> may be disposed radially inward of teeth <NUM>. Thus, when button <NUM> is depressed, elevator control lever <NUM> (including lever body <NUM>) may be moved to adjust a positioning of the elevator.

When the user releases button <NUM>, spring <NUM> may exert a force on button <NUM> in a substantially radially outward direction (i.e., button <NUM> may be biased to the undepressed configuration). As button <NUM> moves radially outward, shaft <NUM> and peg <NUM> also move radially outward. When button <NUM> is not depressed, peg <NUM> may be disposed within a gap <NUM> of stationary rack gear <NUM>. At least a portion of peg <NUM> may be disposed radially inward of a radially outward edge of surrounding teeth <NUM>. Teeth <NUM> may interfere with peg <NUM> along a direction of movement of lever <NUM>. Teeth <NUM> may thus limit movement of peg <NUM> and, thus, elevator control lever <NUM>.

Because stationary rack gear <NUM> may have a plurality of teeth <NUM> and gaps <NUM>, locking mechanism <NUM> may serve to retain elevator control lever <NUM> at a plurality of positions, and thereby secure elevator <NUM> at any of a plurality of positions. A user may choose a position at which to lock elevator control <NUM>. The user may also depress button <NUM> to move elevator control lever <NUM> and then release button <NUM> to retain/lock elevator control lever <NUM> in a new position.

<FIG> depict a handle <NUM> according to the invention, which may have any of the properties of handles <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> except as specified below. Where feasible, parallel reference numbers are used to denote like structures between handles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Similar to handle <NUM> depicted in <FIG> and <FIG>, handle <NUM> may include a locking mechanism <NUM>. Locking mechanism <NUM> may include an elevator control lever <NUM> that interacts with a stationary rack gear <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and to be described further herein.

Elevator control lever <NUM> includes a button <NUM> positioned radially outward from adjacent portions of handle <NUM>, toward a user. Button <NUM> is an actuator for locking/retaining elevator control lever <NUM> in a desired position and/or releasing/unlocking lever <NUM>. An outermost surface of button <NUM> may include a smooth surface, a rough surface (i.e. textured), or otherwise be padded to provide comfort to the user and/or to facilitate a more secure grip. The elevator control lever <NUM>, including its button <NUM>, like any other structure of locking mechanism <NUM>, may be comprised of a variety of materials, such as composites, stainless steel, plastics, polymers, or any alternative or combination of materials commonly used in the art. For example, button <NUM> may be comprised of a composite material, and a remainder of control lever <NUM> may be comprised of a stainless steel or plastic.

Button <NUM> is surrounded by, and translates within, a housing <NUM>. Housing <NUM> is ring-like and defines an internal aperture <NUM>' that receives and houses button <NUM>. <FIG> shows housing <NUM> and aperture <NUM>', without button <NUM>. iButton <NUM>, when pressed, will translate relative to housing <NUM> towards surfaces of handle <NUM>.

Housing <NUM> is integral with, or otherwise connected to, and fixed to an arm <NUM> (shown in more detail in <FIG> and <FIG>). Arm <NUM> has a semi-circular cross-sectional shape (see <FIG>) and provides support to control lever <NUM> and raises control lever <NUM> away from outer surfaces of handle <NUM>, to limit undesired interactions during use between the control lever <NUM> and the handle <NUM> or other components of device <NUM> of <FIG>. Arm <NUM> is integral with, or otherwise connected to, and fixed to a lever body <NUM>. Alternatively, arm <NUM> may be a separate component coupled to lever body <NUM> by means of glue, fasteners, a press-fit, or any other means commonly known in the art. Lever body <NUM> may have a shape that conforms to, complements, or otherwise wraps around, a surface of handle <NUM>.

Lever body <NUM> is integral with, or otherwise connected to, and fixed to a ring <NUM> that movably couples control lever <NUM> to the remainder of handle <NUM>. Ring <NUM> encloses and defines an inner aperture <NUM>' that receives structure for connecting knobs <NUM>, <NUM> to parts internal to the handle housing, for causing articulation of the distal end of the scope. Ring <NUM> mounts to the handle housing in a manner that permits rotation of ring <NUM> about its central axis, as locking lever <NUM> is rotated/pivoted by a user.

<FIG> shows an outer surface of handle <NUM>. Stationary rack <NUM> may be integrated into or otherwise formed with handle <NUM>. Stationary rack <NUM> comprises a plurality of teeth <NUM> separated by a plurality of gaps <NUM>. Stationary rack <NUM> may be curved along the handle <NUM> so as to engage with the elevator control lever <NUM> along the entire length of the path of motion of lever <NUM>. Stationary rack <NUM> may have a radius of curvature that is the same as or approximately the same as the radius of curvature of the path of motion of lever <NUM>. The plurality of teeth <NUM> and the plurality of gaps <NUM> may be one size or a variety of sizes so as to engage with lever <NUM>. Each of the plurality of teeth <NUM> may extend perpendicularly away from the outer surface of handle <NUM>. Stationary rack <NUM> may be an integral component of handle <NUM> or a separate component fixedly coupled to handle <NUM> by means of glue, a press-fit, ultrasonic welding, fasteners, or any other means commonly known in the art. In such a configuration, stationary rack <NUM> may be comprised of the same material as handle <NUM> or a different material. For example, handle <NUM> may be comprised of a polycarbonate material, and stationary rack <NUM> may be comprised of a stainless steel.

<FIG> shows a cross-section of locking mechanism <NUM> to demonstrate the interaction between internal components of control lever <NUM> and stationary rack <NUM>. A protrusion <NUM> of button <NUM> travels within a recess <NUM> of housing <NUM> and prevents the button <NUM> from travelling too far, acting as a stop to limit radially inward movement of button <NUM>. For example, in a pressed configuration of button <NUM>, protrusion <NUM> travels downward within recess <NUM> of housing <NUM>. Button <NUM> is stopped (i.e. can no longer be pressed) when a bottom face of protrusion <NUM> abuts a bottom face within the recess <NUM>. Similarly, button <NUM> is prevented from continuous upward travel once a top face of protrusion <NUM> abuts a top face of recess <NUM>, or, as described below, a distal shaft <NUM> abuts segment <NUM>, as described below. The length and depth of recess <NUM> may vary according to the desired amount of travel for button <NUM>. On the opposite side of button <NUM>, a protrusion <NUM> of button <NUM> travels within an opening <NUM> of arm <NUM> and lever body <NUM>. A top face of protrusion <NUM> may abut a bottom face of <NUM> of opening <NUM> in a first configuration, as shown in <FIG>. Opening <NUM> of arm <NUM> and lever body <NUM> contains a shaft <NUM>. Opening <NUM> may function to provide space for the working assembly and to provide linear space for distal shaft <NUM>, protrusion <NUM>, and shaft <NUM> to move. Opening <NUM> may be defined by alternative features, such as lever body <NUM> or alternative configurations of arm <NUM>. Shaft <NUM> may be fixed to and extend radially inward from button <NUM> (e.g. from an end or bottom surface of button <NUM>). Shaft <NUM> may extend substantially parallel relative to arm <NUM> and/or extend perpendicularly to the bottom surface of button <NUM>. Shaft <NUM> may further comprise a flange/extension <NUM>. Extension <NUM> may extend radially outwardly or perpendicularly from a center axis of shaft <NUM>. Extension <NUM> may be utilized to hold or confine a spring <NUM> to a lower portion (as shown) or upper portion of shaft <NUM>. However, extension <NUM> may be omitted in other embodiments such that the spring <NUM> is not confined to a limited portion of the shaft <NUM>. Shaft <NUM> may extend radially inward through an opening in a wall/segment <NUM> and may be movable relative to lever body <NUM> and arm <NUM>, along with button <NUM>. Segment <NUM> may extend perpendicularly outward from a surface defining opening <NUM>, and divides opening <NUM> into a portion above segment <NUM> (housing spring <NUM>) and a portion below segment <NUM>. Button <NUM> and shaft <NUM> may be one single piece or may be formed from a plurality of pieces. Shaft <NUM> may be circular in cross-section (as shown), square, rectangular, or otherwise shaped to fit within opening <NUM> and the opening in segment <NUM>.

A distal end of shaft <NUM> includes a distal shaft <NUM>. Distal shaft <NUM> may be a separate component of shaft <NUM> or be otherwise formed with a remainder of shaft <NUM> (i.e. as one component). Distal shafts <NUM> is confined below segment <NUM> to, along with other portions of shaft <NUM> and spring <NUM>, control the displacement of button <NUM>. Segment <NUM> may extend the entire width of opening <NUM> to create two openings (<NUM> and <NUM>'), as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, segment <NUM> may extend a partial width of opening <NUM> such that opening <NUM> is continuous above and below segment <NUM>. Distal shaft <NUM> may be rectangular in cross-section, as shown, or otherwise shaped to fit within opening <NUM>'. Distal shaft <NUM> includes grooves in its sides that travel along a track <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) extending within opening <NUM>, <NUM>'. Track <NUM> can be utilized to ensure distal shaft <NUM> remains in position to prevent jamming or breakage of the locking mechanism <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a feature, such as a peg <NUM>, may extend laterally outward from distal shaft <NUM> and toward an interior of handle <NUM>. Peg <NUM>, distal shaft <NUM>, shaft <NUM>, and button <NUM> may form approximately a C-shape. Peg <NUM> may have, for example, a rounded shape or any other suitable shape to fit between teeth <NUM> and within gaps <NUM> of the rack gear <NUM>. Gaps <NUM> and teeth <NUM> may be shaped similarly to the gaps and teeth of previous embodiments, described above with reference to <FIG>.

The embodiment of <FIG> operates in a similar manner to the embodiment described in <FIG>. For example, in a first configuration, when button <NUM> is released, button <NUM> is biased upward by spring <NUM>. In this released state, a top surface of shaft <NUM> may touch or abut a bottom surface of segment <NUM> and prevent additional lateral, or upward, movement of the button <NUM>. Additionally or alternatively, protrusion <NUM> may touch or abut a bottom surface of opening <NUM> in the released state. This may occur simultaneously as the top surface of shaft <NUM> touches or abuts the bottom surface of segment <NUM> or this may occur as a fail-safe, for example, if protrusion <NUM> fails during use. Additionally, in this configuration, peg <NUM> is positioned within a gap <NUM> and between teeth <NUM>. Accordingly, in this position, the control lever <NUM> is locked, unmovable, and cannot pivot or rotate.

To unlock the lever <NUM>, a user may depress button <NUM>. When button <NUM> is depressed, the spring <NUM> is depressed and shaft <NUM> and distal shaft <NUM> are lowered within openings <NUM>, <NUM>'. In effect, peg <NUM> is moved in a substantially radially inward direction, clearing the bottom of teeth <NUM>. With peg <NUM> below teeth <NUM>, elevator control lever <NUM> is movable (i.e. in an unlocked position) and can be pivoted/rotated. In alternating between the first configuration and the second configuration, a user can achieve a desired position of the elevator or accessory tool (not shown).

Claim 1:
A handle (<NUM>) of a medical device, the handle (<NUM>) comprising:
an actuator;
a lock (<NUM>) movable relative to the actuator and having a feature (<NUM>) movable relative to the actuator; and
a rack (<NUM>) having is a plurality of teeth (<NUM>) separated from one another by a plurality of gaps (<NUM>), wherein the lock is configured to move the feature from (a) a first configuration, in which the feature is disposed in a first gap of the plurality of gaps (<NUM>), between two teeth (<NUM>) of the plurality of teeth (<NUM>), such that the two teeth (<NUM>) inhibit the actuator from rotating; to (b) a second configuration, in which the feature is disposed outside of the first gap, such that the actuator is rotatable, and wherein, in the second configuration, the two teeth (<NUM>) are disposed between the feature and the actuator,
wherein the lock includes a button (<NUM>), characterized in that the lock further comprises a shaft (<NUM>, <NUM>),
wherein the shaft
extends radially inward, relative to a housing (<NUM>) of the handle (<NUM>), from the button (<NUM>) to the feature, wherein a distal portion of the shaft includes grooves in its sides to travel along a track of the actuator such that the shaft translates along the track (<NUM>) of the actuator.