Suturing apparatus and method

A needle adapted for use in a surgical suturing device, the needle comprising:

• a proximal needle body with a proximal end and a slotted distal end, the proximal needle body made of a material that does not melt upon autoclaving;
• a bendable needle extension with a proximal end and a distal end, the bendable needle extension also made of a material that does not melt upon autoclaving, the proximal end of the bendable needle extension connected to the slotted distal end of the proximal needle body, the bendable needle extension formed from a single layer of bendable material having a substantially straight, generally flat, narrow and elongate configuration, and a sharp needle tip located at the distal end of the bendable needle extension;
• and
• wherein the needle further comprises a finger tab connected to the proximal needle body at or near the proximal end of the proximal needle body for loading the needle into the surgical suturing device, wherein the finger tab is not made of the same material as the proximal needle body and is made from a plastic that melts from the proximal needle body upon autoclaving so that it is difficult to load the needle into the surgical suturing device and it is unlikely that the needle will be improperly re-used after autoclaving.