Methods, systems, and devices for surgical suturing

A surgical method, comprising:

• seating a loading element having a plate seated therein onto a distal end of a surgical instrument by advancing the loading element in a first direction relative to the distal end of the surgical instrument, the surgical instrument being configured to pass a suture through tissue;
• advancing in a second direction the loading element seated on the distal end of the surgical instrument, thereby causing the plate to move from a seated condition in the loading element to a seated condition in the distal end of the surgical instrument, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
• and
• removing the loading element from the surgical instrument, the plate remaining seated in the distal end of the surgical instrument.