Quick load mechanism for a surgical suturing apparatus

A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for insertion through a natural orifice of a patient, comprising:

• a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a handle attached thereto, the distal end having a suturing body attached thereto, wherein the handle is operatively connected to the suturing body;
• the suturing body comprising a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue;
• and
• a cartridge housing the needle, the cartridge being shaped and dimensioned for positioning within a channel formed in the suture housing and for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection of the needle with the handle, the suturing body and the drive assembly, the cartridge including a first track provided with a spacer coupling the drive assembly to the needle by taking up the space lost with the inclusion of a smaller needle, the spacer linking the needle to the drive assembly for movement about a circular path relative to the cartridge.

A surgical suturing apparatus shaped and dimensioned for laparoscopic insertion through a trocar, comprising:

• a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a handle attached thereto, the distal end having a suturing body attached thereto, wherein the handle is operatively connected to the suturing body;
• the suturing body comprising a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue;
• and
• a cartridge housing the needle, the cartridge being shaped and dimensioned for positioning within a channel formed in the suture housing and for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection of the needle with the handle, the suturing body and the drive assembly, the cartridge including a first track provided with a spacer coupling the drive assembly to the needle by taking up the space lost with the inclusion of a smaller needle, the spacer linking the needle to the drive assembly for movement about a circular path relative to the cartridge.