Ligating instrument

A ligating instrument is provided, including an elongate member, such as a tube, having a lumen, the elongate member extending from a proximal actuator member to a distal ligating band dispenser. A pull line may extend through the lumen of the elongate member, with a proximal end of the pull line connected to the actuator member and a distal end of the pull line connected to the ligating band dispenser, wherein actuation of the actuator member draws the pull line in a proximal direction through the elongate member to deploy the ligating bands. The ligating band dispenser may be adapted to be mounted on the distal tip of an endoscope, and the elongate member may be adapted to be positioned outside of the endoscope from the ligating band dispenser to the actuator member. Alternatively, a ligating instrument may be provided for use with an endoscope, wherein a pull line of the ligating instrument is adapted to be positioned outside of the endoscope, wherein the pull line may be secured to the endoscope by clips or some other means. In a method of using a ligating instrument with an endoscope, a distal ligating band dispenser is attached to a distal tip of an endoscope, and a pull line of the ligating instrument is extended on the outside of the endoscope, such that the pull line extends, on the outside of the endoscope, from the distal ligating band dispenser to a proximal actuator member.