Apparatus and method for minimally invasive suturing

A method of loading an arcuate needle into a suturing device, comprising:

• a) providing a needle loader having an arcuate needle disposed on a hub;
• b) providing a suturing device having a circular needle track for accommodating said needle, said circular needle track having a first end and a second end separated by a tissue accommodation gap configured to receive tissue to be sutured;
• c) introducing said hub of said needle loader into said tissue accommodation gap of said suturing device;
• d) transferring said needle from said hub to said needle track wherein a cover covering said needle track is removed prior to transferring said arcuate needle into said needle track;
• e) removing said hub from said needle track;
• and
• f) operating said suturing device to perform a suturing operation using said arcuate needle.

A method of loading an arcuate needle into a suturing device, comprising:

• a) providing a needle loader having an arcuate needle disposed on a hub;
• b) providing a suturing device having a circular needle track for accommodating said needle, said circular needle track having a first end and a second end separated by a tissue accommodation gap configured to receive tissue to be sutured;
• c) introducing said hub of said needle loader into said tissue accommodation gap of said suturing device;
• and
• d) transferring said needle from said hub to said needle track by selectively releasing said arcuate needle into said needle track by manipulating said needle loader;
• e) removing said hub from said needle track;
• and
• f) operating said suturing device to perform a suturing operation using said arcuate needle.

A method of loading an arcuate needle into a suturing device, comprising:

• a) providing a needle loader having an arcuate needle disposed on a hub;
• b) providing a suturing device having a circular needle track for accommodating said needle, said circular needle track having a first end and a second end separated by a tissue accommodation gap configured to receive tissue to be sutured;
• c) introducing said hub of said needle loader into said tissue accommodation gap of said suturing device;
• and
• d) transferring said needle from said hub to said needle track by pushing a button to transfer said arcuate needle into said needle track;
• e) removing said hub from said needle track;
• and
• f) operating said suturing device to perform a suturing operation using said arcuate needle.

A method of loading an arcuate needle into a suturing device, comprising:

• a) providing a needle loader having an arcuate needle disposed on a hub, wherein the arcuate needle is installed on said hub automatically using a needle loader machine;
• b) providing a suturing device having a circular needle track for accommodating said needle, said circular needle track having a first end and a second end separated by a tissue accommodation gap configured to receive tissue to be sutured;
• c) introducing said hub of said needle loader into said tissue accommodation gap of said suturing device;
• d) transferring said needle from said hub to said needle track;
• e) removing said hub from said needle track;
• and
• f) operating said suturing device to perform a suturing operation using said arcuate needle.