Suturing instrument and method

A method of applying a suture to tissue, comprising:

• (i) providing a tissue suturing instrument comprising (a) a tissue grasping mechanism including a static grasping member and a pivotally mounted grasping member designed and configured for grasping a tissue, said pivotal grasping member carrying a suture holder for positioning a suture on a first side of said tissue grasped thereby;
• (b) a crochet head slidably carried by said static grasping member and slidable in a rectilinear path parallel to said static grasping member through a forward stroke and a return stroke, said crochet head being designed and configured for piercing through said tissue from a second side thereof during said forward stroke, engaging said suture following said piercing, and drawing said suture through said tissue during said return stroke;
• and (c) a frame assembly including a proximal section formed with a first handle and a distal section carrying said tissue grasping mechanism and said crochet head, said proximal section and said distal section being connected by an elongated shank.
• (ii) applying a suture to said suture holder such that the suture is on one side of the tissue to be sutured, and said static grasping member and crochet head carried thereon are on the opposite side of the tissue to be sutured;
• (iii) pivotting said first handle to cause said crochet head to move rectilinearly from said opposite side to said one side, to pierce said grasped tissue, and to engage said suture on said one side;
• and
• (iv) returning said first handle to cause the crochet head to move rectilinearly with the suture from said one side to said opposite side.