Ligating band dispenser

A ligating band dispenser for attachment to a distal end of a ligating device, wherein a lumen extends from the distal end of the ligating device to a proximal end thereof and wherein the ligating band dispenser is adapted to support a plurality of first ligating bands, the ligating band dispenser comprising:

• a support structure for attachment to the distal end of the ligating device, wherein the first ligating bands are received around an outer surface of the support structure and wherein a passage extends through the support structure to communicate with the lumen;
• and
• a first displacement element looped about each of the first ligating bands in series, the first displacement element extending through the passage to a distal end of the lumen, whereby proximal motion of the first displacement element from the proximal end of the ligating device transfers a distal-most one of the first ligating bands off a distal end of the support structure;
• wherein the displacement element includes a stop for preventing movement of a distal end of the displacement element proximally past a predetermined position;
• and
• wherein the support structure includes a limiter which, when the first displacement element has been moved to the predetermined position, contacts the stop to prevent withdrawal of the first displacement element from the support structure after a proximal-most one of the first ligating bands has been dispensed.

A ligating band dispenser for attachment to a distal end of a ligating device, wherein a lumen extends from the distal end of the ligating device to a proximal end thereof and wherein the ligating band dispenser is adapted to support a plurality of first ligating bands, the ligating band dispenser comprising:

• a support structure for attachment to the distal end of the ligating device, wherein the first ligating bands are received around an outer surface of the support structure and wherein a passage extends through the support structure to communicate with the lumen;
• and
• a first displacement element looped about each of the first ligating bands in series, the first displacement element extending through the passage to a distal end of the lumen, whereby proximal motion of the first displacement element from the proximal end of the ligating device transfers a distal-most one of the first ligating bands off a distal end of the support structure;
• wherein the support structure includes a plurality of notches and, wherein the first displacement element extends through a first one of the notches, over, around and under a first one of the first ligating bands and returns to a returned-to-notch selected from one of the first notch and a corresponding second notch;
• and
• wherein for all but a proximal-most one of the first ligating bands, the first displacement element extends from the returned-to-notch to a second one of the notches and then under, around and over a second one of the first ligating bands.