Endoscopic ligating apparatus
First Claim
1. A flexible endoscopic instrument for multiple ligation, said instrument comprising:
- (a) a flexible endoscope having a forward insertion portion, said endoscope including means for illumination and viewing through said endoscope, means for providing a suction force at said insertion portion, and a working channel;
(b) a hollow support member having a forward distal end and a rearward portion, said rearward portion being connectable to the insertion portion of the endoscope;
(c) at least two string-like cords of flexible substantially inelastic material, each of said cords having a first portion overlaying a part of the exterior of said support member and a second portion disposed internally of said support member; and
(d) a plurality of elastic ligating rings removably mounted in stretched condition on said support member and each of said rings being in overlying contacting relation to each of said cords, said rings being spaced from one another along said support member at successively greater different distances from said distal end of said support member;
wherein a pulling force may be exerted on each of said cords to cause movement of each of said cords relative to said support member to dislodge one or more of said rings in controlled sequence from said support member, each of said cords being arranged in slack condition between each pair of adjacent elastic rings.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoscopic ligating apparatus is provided that can be used 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.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A flexible endoscopic instrument for multiple ligation, said instrument comprising:
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(a) a flexible endoscope having a forward insertion portion, said endoscope including means for illumination and viewing through said endoscope, means for providing a suction force at said insertion portion, and a working channel;
(b) a hollow support member having a forward distal end and a rearward portion, said rearward portion being connectable to the insertion portion of the endoscope;
(c) at least two string-like cords of flexible substantially inelastic material, each of said cords having a first portion overlaying a part of the exterior of said support member and a second portion disposed internally of said support member; and
(d) a plurality of elastic ligating rings removably mounted in stretched condition on said support member and each of said rings being in overlying contacting relation to each of said cords, said rings being spaced from one another along said support member at successively greater different distances from said distal end of said support member;
wherein a pulling force may be exerted on each of said cords to cause movement of each of said cords relative to said support member to dislodge one or more of said rings in controlled sequence from said support member, each of said cords being arranged in slack condition between each pair of adjacent elastic rings. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method, comprising:
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providing a ligation apparatus including (1) a hollow support member having a forward distal end and a rearward portion, (2) at least two string-like cords of flexible substantially inelastic material, each of said cords having a first portion overlaying a part of the exterior of said support member and a second portion disposed internally of said support member, and (3) a plurality of elastic ligating rings removably mounted in stretched condition on said tubular member and each of said rings being in overlying contacting relation to each of said cords, each of said cords being arranged in slack condition between each pair of adjacent elastic rings;
connecting said rearward portion of said support member to the forward insertion end of an endoscope;
inserting said insertion end into a body organ and adjacent tissue to be ligated;
drawing said tissue within said support member; and
exerting a pulling force on each of said cords, wherein said pulling force dislodges one of said band from said support member to ligate said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (4)
moving said insertion end to a position adjacent a second tissue to be ligated;
drawing said second tissue within said tubular member; and
exerting a pulling force on each of said cords, wherein said pulling force dislodges another of said bands from said tubular member such that it ligates said second tissue.
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5. A flexible endoscopic instrument for multiple ligation, said instrument comprising:
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(a) a flexible endoscope having a forward insertion portion, said endoscope including means for illumination and viewing through said endoscope, means for providing a suction force at said insertion portion, and a working channel;
(b) a hollow support member having a forward distal end and a rearward portion, said rearward portion being connectable to the insertion portion of the endoscope;
(c) at least two string-like cords of flexible substantially inelastic material, each of said cords having a first portion overlaying a part of the exterior of said support member and a second portion disposed internally of said support member; and
(d) a plurality of elastic ligating rings removably mounted in stretched condition on said support member and each of said rings being in contacting relation to each of said cords, said rings being spaced from one another along said support member at successively greater different distances from said distal end of said support member;
wherein a pulling force may be exerted on each of said cords to cause movement of each of said cords relative to said support member to dislodge one or more of said rings in controlled sequence from said support member, each of said cords being arranged in slack condition between each pair of adjacent elastic rings. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A flexible endoscopic instrument for multiple ligation, said instrument comprising:
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(a) a flexible endoscope having a forward insertion portion, said endoscope including means for illumination and viewing through said endoscope, means for providing a suction force at said insertion portion, and a working channel;
(b) a hollow support member having a forward distal end and a rearward portion, said rearward portion being connectable to the insertion portion of the endoscope;
(c) at least one string-like cord of flexible substantially inelastic material, each said cord having a first portion overlaying a part of the exterior of said support member and a second portion disposed internally of said support member; and
(d) a plurality of elastic ligating rings removably mounted in stretched condition on said support member and each of said rings being in overlying contacting relation to each said cord, said rings being spaced from one another along said support member at successively greater different distances from said distal end of said support member;
wherein a pulling force may be exerted on each said cord to cause movement of each said cord relative to said support member to dislodge one or more of said rings in controlled sequence from said support member, each said cord being arranged in slack condition between each pair of adjacent elastic rings. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method, comprising:
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providing a ligation apparatus including (1) a hollow support member having a forward distal end and a rearward portion, (2) at least one string-like cord of flexible substantially inelastic material, each said cord having a first portion overlaying a part of the exterior of said support member and a second portion disposed internally of said support member, and (3) a plurality of elastic ligating rings removably mounted in stretched condition on said tubular member and each of said rings being in overlying contacting relation to each said cord, each said cord being arranged in slack condition between each pair of adjacent elastic rings;
connecting said rearward portion of said support member to the forward insertion end of an endoscope;
inserting said insertion end into a body organ and adjacent tissue to be ligated;
drawing said tissue within said support member; and
exerting a pulling force on each said cord, wherein said pulling force dislodges one of said bands from said support member to ligate said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (10)
moving said insertion end to a position adjacent a second tissue to be ligated;
drawing said second tissue within said tubular member; and
exerting a pulling force on each said cord, wherein said pulling force dislodges another of said bands from said tubular member such that it ligates said second tissue.
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11. A flexible endoscopic instrument for multiple ligation, said instrument comprising:
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(a) a flexible endoscope having a forward insertion portion, said endoscope including means for illumination and viewing through said endoscope, means for providing a suction force at said insertion portion, and a working channel;
(b) a hollow support member having a forward distal end and a rearward portion, said rearward portion being connectable to the insertion portion of the endoscope;
(c) at least one string-like cord of flexible substantially inelastic material, each said cord having a first portion overlaying a part of the exterior of said support member and a second portion disposed internally of said support member; and
(d) a plurality of elastic ligating rings removably mounted in stretched condition on said support member and each of said rings being in contacting relation to each said cord, said rings being spaced from one another along said support member at successively greater different distances from said distal end of said support member;
wherein a pulling force may be exerted on each said cord to cause movement of each said cord relative to said support member to dislodge one or more of said rings in controlled sequence from said support member, each said cord being arranged in slack condition between each pair of adjacent elastic rings. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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Specification