Patent ID: 8728096

Claim:
A ligating band dispenser comprising: a support structure having a channel, an outer surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; a groove on the outer surface of the support structure; at least one sliding element slidably engaged to the groove on the support structure, wherein the groove has a shoulder that projects laterally over the groove to retain the sliding element on the support structure as the sliding element slides within the groove; a pull line engaged with the at least one sliding element; and at least one ligating band positioned on the outer surface of the support structure distal to the at least one sliding element; wherein pulling the pull line causes the at least one sliding element to move distally with respect to the outer surface of the support structure, thereby causing the at least one ligating band to move distally with respect to the outer surface of the support structure and off of the distal end of the support structure; and wherein the sliding element is structured to disengage the pull line as the sliding element is drawn past the distal end of the support structure.