Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly has an endoscope with an instrument channel and a sheathed elongate tubular member inserted into the instrument channel. The tubular member is provided with a distal end portion having at least one resiliently biased, curved portion tending to direct the tip of the distal end portion in a direction angularly offset from the axis of the body insertion tube at its distal end. The elongate tubular member is itself longitudinally slidably positioned within a relatively stiff, straight sheath having mechanical properties sufficient to straighten the curved portion of the tubular member when the curved portion is positioned within the sheath, proximal of the sheath's distal end. An elongate flexible endoscopic instrument is mounted into the tubular member so that an operative tip is located at a distal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A ligating band dispenser has a plurality of elastic ligating bands at least one of which is supported on each of a series of partially nested cylinders. Inner and intermediate cylinders comprise axially sliding cylinders for dispensing the ligating bands. An outer cylinder,which may be attached to the distal end of an elongated introducer, surrounds at least the proximal portion of the intermediate cylinder and is adapted to receive the sliding cylinders slide into its distal end. A trip wire is connected to the inner cylinder and extends proximally therefrom through the elongated introducer. The trip wire is adapted to cause an axially sliding motion of the sliding cylinders during an application of force to the trip wire. A restraining means is associated with each sliding cylinder to restrain sliding motion thereof during the application of force to the trip wire.

Abstract: A ligating band dispenser for dispensing a plurality of ligating bands having located at the distal end of an elongated introducer responds to manipulation of an operating structure at the proximal end of the introducer. It has a spring loaded reciprocating inner cylinder movable within a spring loaded, radially expandable cone having inner teeth for engaging a plurality of ligating bands. When the dispenser is actuated, the inner cylinder us drawn proximally with respect to the cone, and the distal end surface of the cone forces the distal-most ring off the reciprocating cylinder and onto the internal tissue has been drawn or place by the inside cylinder.