Ligating band dispenser with transverse ridge profile

A ligating band dispensing device comprising:

• a supporting structure comprising a substantially cylindrical support surface adapted to receive a plurality of ligating bands and a trigger line on an outer surface thereof, the support surface having a proximal end and a distal end and a channel extending axially therethrough from the distal end to the proximal end, the support surface including at least one axially extending primary ridge disposed on the outer surface, said at least one primary ridge maintaining the plurality of ligating bands in a position remote from the trigger line, wherein said at least one primary ridge includes a plurality of transverse ridges on an outer face;
• and
• a plurality of ligating bands stretched onto the support surface;
• wherein each ligating band is positioned adjacent a corresponding transverse ridge with the corresponding transverse ridge positioned between the corresponding ligating band and the distal end of said support surface;
• wherein the plurality of ligating bands are arranged on the support surface such that only one transverse ridge is located between two adjacent ligating bands;
• wherein the height of the transverse ridges is dimensioned to insure that the ligating bands are sufficiently held back by the transverse ridges to induce a rolling action;
• and
• wherein the ligating bands and the transverse ridges on the support surface are dimensioned such that the width of the bands when stretched on the support surface is less than the pitch of the transverse ridges on the support surface.

A method of deploying ligating bands comprising:

• providing a supporting structure comprising a substantially cylindrical support surface adapted to receive a plurality of ligating bands and a trigger line on an outer surface thereof, the support surface having a proximal end and a distal end and a channel extending axially therethrough from the distal end to the proximal end, the support surface including at least one axially extending primary ridge disposed on the outer surface, said at least one primary ridge maintaining the plurality of ligating bands in a position remote from the trigger line, wherein said at least one primary ridge includes a plurality of transverse ridges on an outer face;
• providing a plurality of ligating bands stretched onto the support surface, wherein each ligating band is positioned adjacent a corresponding transverse ridge with the corresponding transverse ridge positioned between the corresponding ligating band and the distal end of said support surface, wherein the plurality of ligating bands are arranged on the support surface such that only one transverse ridge is located between two adjacent ligating bands, and wherein the ligating bands and the transverse ridges on the support surface are dimensioned such that the width of the bands when stretched on the support surface is substantially the same as or less than the pitch of the transverse ridges on the support surface so that the ligating bands fit between the transverse ridges;
• and
• actuating the trigger line so as to induce a rolling action in said ligating bands toward the distal end of the supporting structure.