Importance

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Abstract

An endoscopic ligating apparatus is provided that can be used percutaneuously to dispense multiple ligating bands or rings about several lesions. In one embodiment, a barrel supporting a plurality of bands stretched around its circumference is removably engaged to the insertion end of an endoscope. A trip wire extends through a working channel of the endoscope and includes a plurality of strands extending from the distal end of the barrel and wrapped around the end of the barrel. The ligating bands are situated over the strands, while the strands are provided with beads disposed adjacent the bands. As tension is applied to the trip wire by way of an activating mechanism, the strands retract within the barrel so that the beads draw the ligating bands successively to the end of the barrel. In one embodiment, the activating mechanism includes a mounting component that stably mounts the mechanism to a variety of endoscopes. The activating mechanism can be manually operated and can include a one-way clutch that can be selectively engaged to restrict the rotation of a spool upon which the trip wire is wound. In another aspect of the invention, an irrigation adapter can be supplied to provide irrigation or aspiration through the activating mechanism and working channel of the endoscope.

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First Claim