Ligator

摘要

An apparatus applicable for the ligation of internal tissue in a created or natural cavity in animals or in the human body, for example varicose veins in the gullet or a duodenal diverticulum, by means of an elastic band (19) while observing the ligations through an endoscope. The apparatus includes an automatic trigger unit (1) mounted firmly on the handle of the endoscope which can release a number of elastic bands (19) with the aid of a single-stranded trigger cord (11). Only a single elastic band (19) is released for each ligation thereby establishing a one-man-operated apparatus.

主权项

1. A ligator for use with an endoscope having a body, a flexible tube extending from the body, and an accessory channel extending through the body and the tube, the ligator comprising:
a trigger unit including a revolving part, a built-in spring that applies an opposing spring force to the revolving part when it is turned, and a built-in stop that limits turning of the revolving part to an extreme position beyond which it can no longer be turned; a connecting part extending from the trigger unit and including an elongated arm adapted to directly grip the body of the endoscope at a portion of the body located between an opening to the accessory channel and the flexible tube; a nozzle extending from the connecting part, the nozzle being adapted to be received within the accessory channel of the endoscope; a bush adapted to mount to an end of the tube of the endoscope, the bush supporting elastic bands to be deployed for ligation; and a trigger cord connected at a first end to the revolving part of the trigger unit and connected at a second end to the bush; wherein turning of the revolving part from a starting position causes up-winding of the trigger cord, wherein a single elastic band is deployed when the revolving part reaches the built-in stop at the extreme position, and wherein the revolving part automatically returns to the starting position under the force of the built-in spring when the revolving part is released, at which point it is ready to be turned again to deploy the next elastic band.