| abstract |
A subsantially transparent ligating band dispenser has a spring loaded, reciprocating inner cylinder movable within a spring loaded, radially expandable cone having inner teeth for engaging a plurality of ligating bands. The cone is formed by four arcuate fingers, normally biased by small flat springs towards and into engagement with the reciprocating inner cylinder, with each ligating band being positioned distally of a respective inner tooth on the inside of the finger. When the dispenser is actuated, the inner cylinder is drawn proximally with respect to the cone, and the distal end surface of the cone forces the distal-most ring off of the reciprocating cylinder and onto internal tissue that has been drawn inside the cylinder. After the ring has been dispensed, a coil spring forces the inner cylinder distally again with respect to the cone, whereupon the fingers are splayed outwardly. The inner teeth then 'ratchet' over the bands, with the distal-most band being placed in front of the distal end surface of the cone, and thus in position for delivery as desired at a different internal body site. |