Patent ID: 8097003

Claim:
A variceal band ligation system comprising: a variceal banding endoscope comprising: an elongated shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; a working channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the shaft; a variceal banding apparatus integrated with the distal end of the shaft, wherein the variceal banding apparatus comprises a hood on which a plurality of ligation bands are disposed and an elongate member for individually deploying the plurality of ligation bands, and wherein the hood includes a plurality of retaining structures disposed thereon, wherein each retaining structure of the plurality of retaining structures comprises a ridge extending radially outwards from the surface of the hood and around at least a substantial portion of a circumference of the hood, and wherein prior to applying tension to the elongate member, the elongate member is arranged around each ridge and under each ligation band such that the elongate member contacts an apex of each ridge and wherein, upon tension of the elongate member, a ligation band closest to the distal end of the shaft is released; and a control unit functionally connected to the variceal banding endoscope, the control unit comprising an actuator capable of actuating the elongate member.