Method and apparatus for suturing

A suturing device comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongated shaft attached to said handle at a proximal end of said shaft;
• and
• a detachable needle at a distal end of said elongated shaft, said needle having a suture attached thereto.

A suturing device comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongated shaft attached to said handle at a proximal end of said shaft;
• a sharpened tip at a distal end of said elongated shaft;
• and
• a tissue support device disposed adjacent said sharpened tip, configured to move relative to said sharpened tip to facilitate penetration of said sharpened tip through a tissue.

A method of delivering a suture comprising:

• providing a suture device;
• releasably coupling a suture with the distal end of said suture device;
• penetrating a substrate with the distal end of said suture device such that said suture is partially passed through the substrate;
• and
• releasing the suture from said suture device.

A method of delivering a suture comprising:

• providing a suturing device having a sharpened tip configured to penetrate a tissue, a tissue support device disposed to be located adjacent a selected portion of tissue, and being moveable relative to the sharpened tip to facilitate penetration of the sharpened tip through the selected portion of tissue and to enable the sharpened tip to be withdrawn from the selected portion of tissue;
• providing a suture disposed to be engaged by the sharpened tip as the sharpened tip is being withdrawn from the selected portion of tissue;
• locating the tissue support device adjacent a selected portion of tissue and moving the sharpened tip relative to the tissue support device to pierce the selected portion of tissue, and engaging the suture with the sharpened tip as the sharpened tip is withdrawn from the selected portion of tissue;
• and
• releasing the suture from the sharpened tip after the sharpened tip has been withdrawn from the selected portion of tissue.

A suturing device comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongated shaft attached to said handle;
• a sharpened tip on said elongated shaft,
• said sharpened tip being configured to engage a suture;
• and
• a locking mechanism having at least a locked position and an unlocked position, said locking mechanism when in said locked position being configured to hold the suture in a selected position.

A suturing device comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongated shaft attached to said handle;
• a sharpened tip on said elongated shaft,
• said sharpened tip having an opening configured to allow the suture to be side-loaded onto said device.

A suturing device comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongated shaft attached to said handle;
• a sharpened tip on said elongated shaft,
• said sharpened tip having a piercing portion configured to pierce tissue during a suturing procedure;
• and
• a suture coupled with said sharpened tip, said suture having a suture portion extending outward from said sharpened tip to permit said suture to be grasped and manipulated relative to said sharpened tip, said suture portion disposed to be carried by the sharpened tip through tissue which has been pierced by said piercing portion.