Ligation assembly and method for using the same

Abstract

A ligation assembly having a locking head, an elongated strap body, wherein the elongated strap body includes a bottom surface that is free from ratchet teeth, and wherein the elongated strap body is spaced apart from the locking head, and a coupling member, wherein the coupling member is connected to and disposed between the locking head and the elongated strap body, and wherein the coupling member is fabricated from an elastomeric material.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A ligation assembly comprising:
 a locking head having an entrance end and an exit end;   an elongated strap body having a first surface and a second surface extending from a proximal end to a distal end;   wherein the elongated strap body is configured to engage with the locking head for one-way locking;   wherein the entire second surface is smooth and free from teeth from the proximal end to the distal end; and   wherein the second surface is positioned on a same side as the entrance end of the locking head.   
     
     
         19 . The ligation assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the elongated strap body is spaced apart from the locking head. 
     
     
         20 . The ligation assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a coupling member connecting the locking head and the elongated strap body. 
     
     
         21 . The ligation assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the coupling member comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         22 . The ligation assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic elastomer, a styrenic block copolymer, a thermoplastic olefin, an elastomeric alloy, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a thermoplastic copolyester, and a thermoplastic polyamide. 
     
     
         23 . The ligation assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the coupling member includes a first end connected to the locking head and a second end connected to the elongated strap body. 
     
     
         24 . The ligation assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the first end of the coupling member is associated with the exit end of the locking head. 
     
     
         25 . The ligation assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the locking head includes a deflectable pawl extending into a channel for engaging the elongated strap body. 
     
     
         26 . The ligation assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the deflectable pawl extends from an inner wall of the locking head into the channel. 
     
     
         27 . The ligation assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the deflectable pawl includes a tab emanating from an outer surface of the inner wall of the locking head. 
     
     
         28 . A method of ligating tissue, comprising the steps of:
 providing a ligation assembly having an elongated strap body with a continuously smooth bottom surface;   positioning the smooth bottom surface against tissue to be ligated;   wrapping the elongated strap body around the tissue with the smooth bottom surface in continuous contact with the tissue;   inserting the elongated strap body through a locking head; and   securing the elongated strap body in a locked position while maintaining the smooth bottom surface against the tissue.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the tissue is animal tissue. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the method is performed for animal castration. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the animal is selected from the group consisting of cattle, sheep, goats, and swine. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the step of tightening the elongated strap body to constrict blood flow through the tissue. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the tightening step comprises pulling the elongated strap body through the locking head in only one direction. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the smooth bottom surface prevents tissue damage during ligation. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the elongated strap body comprises a thermoplastic material selected from the group consisting of nylon PA 6, nylon PA 66, nylon PA 6/66, and nylon PA 66/610. 
     
     
         36 . A ligation device, comprising:
 a locking head defining a channel therethrough, the locking head having an entrance end and an exit end;   an elongated strap body separate from the locking head, the elongated strap body having:   a top surface;   a bottom surface that is planar and completely free from protrusions along its entire length;   wherein the bottom surface is oriented to face a same direction as the entrance end of the locking head; and   a coupling member joining the locking head to the elongated strap body.   
     
     
         37 . The ligation device of  claim 36 , wherein the coupling member comprises a flexible material that allows the elongated strap body to be wrapped and inserted through the channel of the locking head.