Endoscopic suturing system having external instrument channel

A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, comprising:

• a mount configured for mounting to the distal end of the endoscope;
• a strap having first and second ends and a length extending therebetween, said strap being connected to the mount at the second end of the strap,
• the strap having a loop configuration for banding about the distal end of the endoscope when the distal end of the endoscope is received in the mount to retain the mount on the endoscope,
• wherein the mount defines,
• a) a strap slot configured to receive the first end of the strap and retain the first end of the strap to configure the strap in a loop with a size to position the endoscope within the loop and allow the first end to be pulled through the strap slot to tighten the strap against the endoscope, and
• b) a straight cutting blade slot extending longitudinally in a direction intersecting with a pathway through which the strap extends, the cutting blade slot adapted to accommodate a cutting blade to sever a portion of the strap between the first and second ends of the strap.