Suturing apparatus and method

A method of loading and then passing suture with a suturing passing apparatus having a handle assembly, an elongate shaft extending distally from the handle assembly, a first jaw that extends distally from the elongate shaft and that has a top, a bottom, a needle channel that runs along an axis of the first jaw and curves upward to a channel exit that opens at an angle relative to the axis, and a suture channel that extends through the first jaw from top to the bottom, and a suture loading ingress that extends through the first jaw from the top of the first jaw to the bottom of the first jaw and also through the needle channel, and is in communication with the suture channel, a bendable needle located in the needle channel, a second jaw that extends distally from the elongate shaft and is moveable relative to the first jaw for gripping tissue to be sutured therebetween, a needle movement mechanism for deploying the needle by reciprocally moving the bendable needle within the needle channel and in and out of the channel exit, the method comprising the steps of:

• loading the suture into the suture channel via the suture loading ingress such that the suture protrudes from the top and bottom of the first jaw and extends across the needle channel;
• retaining the suture in the suture channel prior to deployment;
• and
• capturing the retained suture with the bendable needle as the bendable needle is moved distally during deployment, wherein the step of capturing the retained suture with the bendable needle as the bendable needle is moved distally further comprising the step of laterally deflecting the bendable needle to a side of the needle channel.