Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of ligating tissue within a living body comprising the steps of: positioning an elastic band which has been stretched to increase the size of a central opening extending therethrough adjacent to a portion of tissue to be ligated, wherein a first surface of the elastic band includes a plurality of projections extending away from the first surface; drawing a portion of tissue to be ligated through the central opening of the elastic band; releasing the elastic band so that the size of the central opening decreases to grip the tissue received therein; wherein a second surface of the elastic band includes a plurality of holes formed therein, wherein the elastic band is stretched by inserting into the holes an expansion device and radially expanding the expansion device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of ligating tissue within a living body comprising the steps of: positioning an elastic band which has been stretched to increase the size of a central opening extending therethrough adjacent to a portion of tissue to be ligated, wherein a first surface of the elastic band includes a plurality of projections extending away from the first surface; drawing a portion of tissue to be ligated through the central opening of the elastic band; releasing the elastic band so that the size of the central opening decreases to grip the tissue received therein; wherein a second surface of the elastic band includes a plurality of holes formed therein, wherein the elastic band is stretched by inserting into the holes an expansion device and radially expanding the expansion device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the projections are arranged so that, when the elastic band is released and the size of the central opening is decreased, each of the projections extends into the central opening toward a space between the projections on an opposite side of the central opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the projections includes a cylindrical stem projecting away from the first surface to a hemispherical end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the first surface is substantially circular and each of the projections extends circumferentially about a portion of the first surface, a length of each projection in the circumferential direction being substantially greater than a length of each projection in a direction substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the elastic band is substantially in the shape of a ring and defines a central axis extending through the central opening and wherein the projections extend around the first surface substantially parallel to one another at a predetermined angle with respect to the central axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the projections includes a tissue piercing end, further comprising the step of providing a treatment substance on the tissue piercing end to apply to the treatment substance to the tissue.