Abstract: A ligator assembly comprising a hollow, two-piece, bullet-shaped case dimensioned to be inserted in and through a body member, a pair of suture needles carried by the case, and a suture affixed to the needles. The case is provided with a pair of guide tubes for retaining the needles and guiding them out through a substantially transverse slot at the end of the case. A drive mechanism is also provided for remotely driving the needles longitudinally out of the case through the slot. The case is selectively connectable to an elongated tubular operator for placement of the ligator assembly. Apparatus for effecting an anastomosis comprises female and male connector components usable with an operator, an inflatable anvil assembly, and a connector actuator and which include mutually facing clamping surfaces for clamping generally annular tissue portions of the first and second body members together. The female connector component includes a plurality of resilient legs having bores extending therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting anastomosis of the distal urethra and the bladder neck includes a tubular urethral sound. An inflatable anvil is selectively connected to the sound through an opening in the urethra adjacent the prostate. The sound is then retracted outwardly to position the anvil in the urethra. A second implement is passed downwardly through an incision in the bladder and is connectable to the anvil by alignment and locking means following surgical removal of the prostate. Male and female connectors mounted respectively on the anvil and the second implement and formed of a material which dissolves in the human body are driven toward each other by the second implement. The male connector penetrates the urethra and the bladder neck and then moves into the female connector for engagement with locking means holding the two connectors together to clamp the urethra to the bladder neck to automatically provide an anastomosis.

Abstract: A method of effecting dorsal vein ligation comprising the steps of positioning a selectively actuable radially expandable member in the urethra adjacent the dorsal vein, actuating the radially expandable member to effect urethral distention outwardly against the dorsal vein to effect substantial closure of the dorsal vein to create a closed portion of the dorsal vein, and ligating the dorsal vein adjacent the closed portion thereof.