	US 12,201,302 B2
	Elastic band ligation device with anti-pinch feature and method for treatment of hemorrhoids
David Chotenovsky, Barrie (CA); and Mitchel Guttenplan, Roswell, GA (US)
Assigned to CRH Medical Corporation, Vancouver (CA)
Filed by CRH MEDICAL CORPORATION, Vancouver (CA)
Filed on Jan. 17, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/746,467.
Application 16/746,467 is a continuation of application No. 13/972,202, filed on Aug. 21, 2013, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2020/0146682 A1, May 14, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 17/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)

CPC A61B 17/12009 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00818 (2013.01); A61B 2017/12018 (2013.01)]

14 Claims

1. A ligation apparatus, comprising:

(A) an inner tubular member, comprising:

(i) an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end, and a second end, wherein the first end is defined by a first inner opening and the second end is defined by a second inner opening, wherein the exterior surface is configured to hold a rubber band in proximity to the first inner opening;

(ii) an inner tapering portion comprising the first end and a tapering transition end, wherein a first diameter of the first end is smaller than a second diameter of the tapering transition end;

(iii) an inner cylindrical portion comprising the second end, a cylindrical transition end, and a raised ring positioned on the exterior surface, wherein a third diameter of the inner cylindrical portion is larger than the second diameter of the tapering transition end;

(iv) a transition portion comprising a conical frustrum and disposed between the tapering transition end and the cylindrical transition end; and

(v) at least one flange extending from the exterior surface and adjacent to the second inner opening;

(B) an outer tubular member configured to slidably sheath the inner tubular member, comprising:

(i) an outer tapering portion configured to fit over the inner tapering portion and push the rubber band off the exterior surface and over the first end of the inner tubular member;

(ii) an outer cylindrical portion, comprising:

(a) a raised ridge positioned on an interior surface of the outer cylindrical portion and configured to, when engaged with the raised ring of the inner cylindrical portion, impede longitudinal movement of the outer tubular member relative to the inner tubular member; and

(b) at least one flange extending from an exterior surface of the outer cylindrical portion and configured to disengage the raised ridge from the raised ring; and

(i) a rounded tip configured to extend through and protrude out of the first inner opening of the inner tubular member when in a resting position and configured to align the ligation apparatus with hemorrhoidal tissue of a patient;

(ii) an elongate stem, comprising:

(a) an elongate first stem portion adjacent to the rounded tip and extending to a rubber seal adjacent to a head flange, wherein the rubber seal is configured to provide a seal on the interior surface of the inner tubular member and remain flush against the transition portion when in the resting position; and

(b) an elongate second stem portion having a first end adjacent to the head flange and a second terminating end, wherein:

(1) the second terminating end of the elongate second stem portion is configured to extend through the second inner opening; and

(2) the rubber seal and the head flange are disposed between the elongate first stem portion and the elongate second stem portion;

(iii) a handle adjacent to the second terminating end of the elongate second stem portion and configured to, when pulled away from the second inner opening, slide the single piece obturator plunger longitudinally inside the inner tubular member and into an active position; and

(iv) wherein the single piece obturator plunger is configured to, when slid into the active position, create sufficient suction force at the first inner opening of the inner tubular member to suck hemorrhoidal tissue into the first inner opening.