Endoscopic band ligator

Abstract

The present invention provides a ligating band dispenser that is mounted on the distal end of an endoscope. The ligator is configured to deliver multiple ligating bands to a plurality of internal sites in a patient. The ligating bands are carried on a tubular band carrier member that is retractable relative to the distal end of the endoscope in order to preserve visibility through the endoscope during navigation, then extendable to define a suction chamber for tissue aspiration during band delivery. A tubular band driver member is slidable over the band carrier member and engages bands individually to push them off the distal end of the band carrier and onto a selected treatment site. A single-hand operated control handle for selectively operating the extension of the band carrier and movement of the band driver to release a band is also provided and is slidably and removably mounted to the endoscope shaft.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 656,083, filed Sep. 5, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,247, issued Mar. 13, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 408,555, filed Sep. 6, 2002.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to medical ligating instruments. In particular, the invention relates to multiple band endoscopic band ligating devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Ligation is a procedure in which a thread, wire or band are applied around a tissue structure or area to constrict it thereby preventing flow of blood or other body fluids. Band ligation involves applying a highly elastic band around a tissue site to constrict it. Ligation may be used to treat varices, polyps, hemorrhoids, or other lesions. After application of a ligator at the treatment site, bleeding is stopped and the tissue below the ligature then begins to heal and fuse together ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The band ligating device is operated by a control handle slidably positioned on the exterior of the endoscope outside of the patient. The control handle is joined to the ligator by control cables that extend externally along the endoscope shaft to leave the working channels of the endoscope free for other uses such as aspiration or scelerothopic injection. The control handle provides operating mechanisms with distinct ranges of travel that enable a user to actuate the extension-retraction function and band delivery function of the ligator with accuracy. The handle is further configured to permit the user to grasp the endoscope as well as the handle in a single hand so that control of the endoscope shaft and operation of the ligator can be achieved with one hand and control of the distal end of the endoscope can be maintained by controls held with the other hand.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscopic band ligator that can be operated to release individual ligating bands accurately based on the commands of the user.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscopic band ligator having a control handle that is easy to manipulate with a single hand in conjunction with maintaining control over the endoscope shaft.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide an endoscopic band ligator that is remotely controlled by mechanisms extending proximally from the ligator external to the endoscope leaving the working channels of the endoscope free for complete aspiration or for advancement of other treatment devices.

[0013] It is another object of the invention to provide a method of endoscopically applying multiple ligation bands that requires simplified inputs by the user on a control handle that operates the distally mounted ligator.

Problems solved by technology

Because of inherent inaccuracies in the remote operation of the outer cylinder, more than one band could be inadvertently released at a single site or the device could fail to release any bands at the location.

Further frustrating this problem is the fact that the physician may not realize that a single band is not successfully released at the desired location.

Control handles for operating ligating devices has been somewhat primitive and may require two hands to operate.

Two handed operation of the ligator control handle is especially problematic in endoscopic context because at least one hand must be used to operate endoscope controls for articulating the distal end of the endoscope so that it may be properly navigated.

Cable operated band dispensers lose tactile feel and accurate movement due to the flexibility inherent in the cable and in the unstable sliding movement of the small ligator components that move to release the bands.

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