Endoscopic suture loop anchors and methods

A needle assembly for use in association with a suturing device having a movable needle holder arm and a length of suture, comprising:

• a needle tip with a sharp end, a circumferential capture groove adjacent the sharp end and a tubular section adjacent the circumferential capture groove having an opening adapted to receive the end of a length of suture, and
• a straight, tubular needle body having a first end adjacent the needle tip, a second end opposite the needle tip, a side wall extending between the first and second ends, and an axis extending between the first and second ends,
• the second end provided with retaining structure into which the needle holder arm is received so that the needle body can be removably retained on the needle holder arm, and a suture passage open to receive suture through the body of the needle, the passage extending through the side wall at a location between the first and second ends of the needle body and extending transverse to the needle axis when the needle tip is assembled at the first end of the needle body,
• wherein the needle assembly is adapted to be longitudinally displaced along a length of suture extending through the suture passage during use of the needle assembly.