Abstract: A gastronomy tube includes an elongate tubular portion, a stop, and at least one wire loop. The elongate tubular portion is configured to extend along a length of an endoscope and to reversibly attach to the endoscope. The stop is at a proximal end of the elongate tubular portion. The at least one wire loop is at a distal end of the elongate tubular portion and is configured to extend distally from a distal end of the endoscope when the elongate tubular portion is attached to the endoscope.

Abstract: A dilator releasably connected with an endoscope to dilate a stricture as the dilator that is releasably connected to a portion of a cylindrical body of the endoscope passes through the stricture. The endoscopic dilator is moveable between an open position and a closed position configured to enable the dilator to be secured to the endoscope. When the dilator is in the closed position, an inner surface or a component on the inner surface of the dilator frictionally secures dilator to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope. When in the open position, the dilator is not frictionally secured to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope.

Abstract: A telescopic attachment mechanism includes an inner cylinder configured to attach around a distal end of a scope and an outer cylinder slidingly attached around the inner cylinder. The outer cylinder is configured to move from a proximal retracted position to a distal extended position. The outer cylinder in the distal extended position is configured to extend distally beyond the distal end of the scope.

Abstract: A ligating system having a ligating apparatus configured to attach to a distal end of a scope and to hold a ligating band thereon; an activating cord configured to extend down a working channel of the scope and attach to the ligating apparatus; and a line pulling assembly including: a central body; an attachment mechanism on the central body configured to attach the line pulling assembly to a proximal end of the scope; an access channel through the central body and in communication with the working channel of the scope, the access channel providing an open inlet to the working channel of the scope when the line pulling assembly is attached to the proximal end of the scope; and a winding mechanism attached to the central body, wherein the winding mechanism is configured to pull the activating cord proximally such that the ligating band is removed from the ligating apparatus.

Abstract: A colonoscope handle attachment device includes a body having arms sized to couple with the colonoscope and a hook that is sized to receive another portion of the colonoscope therein, such as the endoscope shaft. The hook defines a U-shaped channel that can be angled relative to a primary longitudinal axis of the body. However, the U-shaped channel can also be oriented as offset parallel to the primary longitudinal axis of the body. The configuration of the device allows an operator of the colonoscope, such as a physician, to have a free hand to perform other tasks inasmuch as the hook holds or couples the other portion or sub-component of the colonoscope near the handle of the colonoscope. At least portions of the body and the hook are at least semi-flexible to allow the device to releasably connect with the handle of the colonoscope.

Abstract: A dilator releasably connected with an endoscope to dilate a stricture as the dilator that is releasably connected to a portion of a cylindrical body of the endoscope passes through the stricture. The endoscopic dilator is moveable between an open position and a closed position configured to enable the dilator to be secured to the endoscope. When the dilator is in the closed position, an inner surface or a component on the inner surface of the dilator frictionally secures dilator to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope. When in the open position, the dilator is not frictionally secured to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope.

Abstract: A dilator releasably connected with an endoscope to dilate a stricture as the dilator that is releasably connected to a portion of a cylindrical body of the endoscope passes through the stricture. The endoscopic dilator is moveable between an open position and a closed position configured to enable the dilator to be secured to the endoscope. When the dilator is in the closed position, an inner surface or a component on the inner surface of the dilator frictionally secures dilator to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope. When in the open position, the dilator is not frictionally secured to the portion of the cylindrical body of the endoscope.

Abstract: A ligating system having a ligating apparatus configured to attach to a distal end of a scope and to hold a ligating band thereon; an activating cord configured to extend down a working channel of the scope and attach to the ligating apparatus; and a line pulling assembly including: a central body; an attachment mechanism on the central body configured to attach the line pulling assembly to a proximal end of the scope; an access channel through the central body and in communication with the working channel of the scope, the access channel providing an open inlet to the working channel of the scope when the line pulling assembly is attached to the proximal end of the scope; and a winding mechanism attached to the central body, wherein the winding mechanism is configured to pull the activating cord proximally such that the ligating band is removed from the ligating apparatus.

Abstract: A banding apparatus and method. One embodiment is a unitary or integrated hemorrhoidal single hand-held and single hand-operated ligator, which can, in some embodiments, enable direct visualization and release of multiple bands. The ligator has a gun-shaped handle extending from a vacuum generating trigger tube, with a fixed band bearing barrel extending from the vacuum generating trigger tube. A vacuum generating tube extends through the band bearing barrel from the rear of the gun ligator to the band bearing barrel end of the ligator gun, and is in air movement communication with the vacuum generating tube and band bearing barrel end of the ligator gun. A band actuating barrel is threadably mounted to surround a portion of the band bearing barrel, and rotation of the barrel cause the barrel to move laterally and force one or more ligating bands along and off of the band bearing barrel end. A light source can be included to illuminate the band bearing barrel end.

Abstract: A ligating system having a ligating apparatus configured to attach to a distal end of a scope and to hold a ligating band thereon; an activating cord configured to extend down a working channel of the scope and attach to the ligating apparatus; and a line pulling assembly including: a central body; an attachment mechanism on the central body configured to attach the line pulling assembly to a proximal end of the scope; an access channel through the central body and in communication with the working channel of the scope, the access channel providing an open inlet to the working channel of the scope when the line pulling assembly is attached to the proximal end of the scope; and a winding mechanism attached to the central body, wherein the winding mechanism is configured to pull the activating cord proximally such that the ligating band is removed from the ligating apparatus.

Abstract: A ligating system having a ligating apparatus configured to attach to a distal end of a scope and to hold a ligating band thereon; an activating cord configured to extend down a working channel of the scope and attach to the ligating apparatus; and a line pulling assembly including: a central body; an attachment mechanism on the central body configured to attach the line pulling assembly to a proximal end of the scope; an access channel through the central body and in communication with the working channel of the scope, the access channel providing an open inlet to the working channel of the scope when the line pulling assembly is attached to the proximal end of the scope; and a winding mechanism attached to the central body, wherein the winding mechanism is configured to pull the activating cord proximally such that the ligating band is removed from the ligating apparatus.

Abstract: A ligating apparatus and method. One embodiment includes a barrel-shaped ligator attached to the penetrating end of a structure, such as an endoscope, and cord pulling assembly at the opposed end of the structure. In the case of use with an endoscope, a pullable cord is wound on the cord pulling assembly and then extends through a working channel in the endoscope to penetrate the ligator. The barrel-shaped ligator is coaxial with the penetrating end of the endoscope, and a practitioner can look through the operating end of the endoscope and see through the endoscope and ligator to observe flesh, for example, in front of the ligating end of the ligator. The ligator includes coaxial inner and outer barrels that rotate with respect to each other upon pulling of the cord by the cord pulling assembly. This relative rotation causes one barrel to move laterally with respect to the other barrel and eject a ligature from the ligating end of the ligator.

Abstract: A ligating apparatus and method. One embodiment includes a barrel-shaped ligator attached to the penetrating end of a structure, such as an endoscope, and cord pulling assembly at the opposed end of the structure. In the case of use with an endoscope, a pullable cord is wound on the cord pulling assembly and then extends through a working channel in the endoscope to penetrate the ligator. The barrel-shaped ligator is coaxial with the penetrating end of the endoscope, and a practitioner can look through the operating end of the endoscope and see through the endoscope and ligator to observe flesh, for example, in front of the ligating end of the ligator. The ligator includes coaxial inner and outer barrels that rotate with respect to each other upon pulling of the cord by the cord pulling assembly. This relative rotation causes one barrel to move laterally with respect to the other barrel and eject a ligature from the ligating end of the ligator.

Abstract: A banding apparatus and method. One embodiment is a unitary or integrated hemorrhoidal single hand-held and single hand-operated ligator, which can, in some embodiments, enable direct visualization and release of multiple bands. The ligator has a gun-shaped handle extending from a vacuum generating trigger tube, with a fixed band bearing barrel extending from the vacuum generating trigger tube. A vacuum generating tube extends through the band bearing barrel from the rear of the gun ligator to the band bearing barrel end of the ligator gun, and is in air movement communication with the vacuum generating tube and band bearing barrel end of the ligator gun. A band actuating barrel is threadably mounted to surround a portion of the band bearing barrel, and rotation of the barrel cause the barrel to move laterally and force one or more ligating bands along and off of the band bearing barrel end. A light source can be included to illuminate the band bearing barrel end.