Laparoscopic suturing device and methods of use

A laparoscopic suturing device comprising:

• a) a handle, having a top, a bottom, opposing left and right sides;
• b) a thread dispensing spool supported by said handle, said spool containing thread;
• c) a tubular shaft extending from said handle along a longitudinal axis to a distal end;
• d) said distal end including a movable needle support pivotally connected thereto;
• e) said needle support including a needle base;
• f) said needle support and said needle base defining a thread receiving aperture;
• g) a curved tubular needle permanently affixed to said needle base, said needle having a longitudinal axis and projecting from said needle base, said needle being hollow and having a tip defining an axial opening formed at a distal end thereof, and a proximal end opening aligned with said thread receiving aperture formed on said needle base, said thread passing external to said tubular shaft and passing though said needle support thread receiving aperture, through said needle base and completely through said needle, said thread exiting said needle through said axial opening at the distal end thereof, said needle support, said, needle base, and said, curved needle all being confined within a dimension that is less than or equal to an outer-diameter of said tubular shaft and axially aligned therewith to allow for insertion thereof through a cannula
• h) said handle including a deploying knob in slidable engagement therewith, said deploying knob connected to a connecting rod disposed within said tubular shaft, said connecting rod attached at a distal end thereof to said needle support:
• i) said needle support, pivotally movable from a first position wherein said needle support and said needle are generally aligned with said longitudinal axis to a second position wherein said needle support and said needle pivot approximately 90-degrees to the left-hand side so as to be generally perpendicular relative to said axis in response to slidable movement of said deploying knob;
• and
• j) a single knife edge disposed on said needle support on an opposing side of said needle base from said projecting needle.