Suturing Apparatus and Method

A suturing apparatus, comprising:

• a first jaw and a second jaw movable with respect to each other;
• a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and adapted to carry a suture, the needle being movable between a first position wherein the needle is substantially housed within the jaw and a second position wherein a distal portion of the needle protrudes from the first jaw;
• means for securing the suture in place prior to being carried by the bendable needle;
• and
• a suture receiver spaced apart from the first jaw and configured to disengage the suture carried by the bendable needle.

A suturing apparatus, comprising:

• a first jaw defining an ingress;
• a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw;
• a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and movable between a proximal position and a distal position, the needle defining a needle slot that may be aligned with the ingress to enable loading of a suture through the ingress into the needle slot;
• and
• a suture receiver disposed adjacent to the second jaw.

A suturing apparatus, comprising:

• a first jaw defining an ingress;
• a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw;
• a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and movable between a proximal position and a distal position, the needle defining a needle slot that may be aligned with the ingress to enable loading of a suture through the ingress into the needle slot;
• and
• wherein the second jaw further comprises an integral suture receiver.

A method for suturing a piece of tissue, comprising the steps of:

• securing a suture in place for engagement with a bendable needle;
• clamping a piece of tissue to be sutured;
• engaging the suture with the bendable needle;
• carrying the suture through the piece of tissue with the bendable needle;
• retracting the bendable needle to release the suture;
• and
• retaining the suture with a suture receiver during the step of retracting the bendable needle to release the suture.

A suturing apparatus, comprising:

• a first jaw and a second jaw movable with respect to each other;
• a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and adapted to carry a suture, the needle being movable between a first position wherein the needle is substantially housed within the jaw and a second position wherein a distal portion of the needle protrudes from the first jaw;
• means for securing the suture in place prior to being carried by the bendable needle;
• and
• a suture receiver disposed adjacent to the second jaw and configured to disengage the suture carried by the bendable needle.

A suturing apparatus, comprising:

• a first jaw defining an ingress;
• a second jaw movable with respect to the first jaw;
• a bendable needle carried by the first jaw and movable between a proximal position and a distal position, the needle defining a needle slot that may be aligned with the ingress to enable loading of a suture through the ingress into the needle slot;
• and
• a suture receiver disposed adjacent to the second jaw.