Apparatus and methods for endoscopic suturing

A system for endoscopically suturing a region of tissue, comprising:

• an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween;
• a tissue engagement device having a flexible shaft and a distal portion extending from the tubular member distal end, the distal portion of the tissue engagement device comprising a pair of jaws adapted to releasably engage tissue thereto, wherein the pair of jaws is rotatable about its longitudinal axis relative to the flexible shaft;
• a deployment tube having a distal end attached by a linkage to the flexible shaft of the tissue engagement device such that the deployment tube is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the pair of jaws, with the linkage having a first end attached to the deployment tube and a second end attached to the flexible shaft;
• a needle grasper movably positioned within the deployment tube;
• and
• a needle body which defines a channel therein, wherein the needle body is removably disposed within the deployment tube.