A loading unit assembly for use with a surgical suturing apparatus includes a surgical needle and a support structure configured for releasably securing the surgical needle. The support structure may include a first finger and a second finger adjacent to the first finger. The first and second fingers may define a first channel therebetween. The support structure may also include a third finger defining a seat portion and a back portion. The seat and back portions may be in facing relation with the first and second fingers. The third finger and the first and second fingers may define a second channel therebetween. The surgical needle may be loaded in the second channel and may be in abutment with at least the seat portion.

Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for surgical suturing are provided. In general, a loading element can be configured to facilitate loading of a plate into a surgical instrument configured to facilitate passage of a suture through tissue. The surgical instrument can be configured to advance the suture through a tissue of a patient, to capture a free end or looped end of the suture after the suture's advancement through the tissue, and to pull the captured suture out of the patient's body with a portion of the suture remaining passed through the tissue within the patient's body.

Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for surgical suturing are provided. In general, a loading element can be configured to facilitate loading of a plate into a surgical instrument configured to facilitate passage of a suture through tissue. The surgical instrument can be configured to advance the suture through a tissue of a patient, to capture a free end or looped end of the suture after the suture's advancement through the tissue, and to pull the captured suture out of the patient's body with a portion of the suture remaining passed through the tissue within the patient's body.

A loading fixture for loading a needle into a suturing device includes a chassis, a clamp assembly and a needle holder. The clamp assembly is connected with the chassis. The needle holder is movably mounted to the chassis. A method of assembling a suturing device includes holding a suturing device. The method further includes inserting a needle having a suture attached thereto through a distal opening into a needle passage of the suturing device. The method also includes maintaining a portion of the suture extending out of the distal opening and outside of the suturing device.

A system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.

A packaging for a surgical needle comprises a cartridge. The cartridge comprises a surgical needle and a needle driver configured to engage and move the needle relative to the cartridge. The packaging further comprises a spool comprising a helical channel and a length of suture connected to the needle. At least a portion of the length of suture is wound around the spool. At least a portion of the length of suture is positioned within the helical channel. The suture may include a plurality of barbs.

A needle cartridge is adapted to be attached to a receiver on a surgical suturing device. The cartridge comprises an arced needle having a leading end, a trailing end, and a length of suture. A cartridge body has a track that receives the needle and defining a circular path. A needle driver is operable to rotate the needle along the circular path. A cover is on the body and positioned over the needle in the track. The cover is selectively moveable relative to the body to release the needle from the track.

A surgical instrument includes a body, at least one user input feature, an elongate shaft, a needle applier, and a motor. The needle applier includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to drive the needle along an orbital path about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The motor is configured provide motion to the needle applier to thereby actuate the drive assembly.

A suture retainer is provided for supplying a surgical needle and an associated length of relatively stiff suture material to a surgical suturing apparatus. The suture retainer generally includes a body portion defining a suture tray and a loading unit positioned on the body portion. The loading unit is provided to retain a surgical needle in a position to be grasped by a surgical suturing apparatus. The suture tray retains the length of relatively stiff suture in a manner which prevents the relatively stiff suture from bending or otherwise being deformed.

A surgical instrument includes a body, a user input feature, an elongate shaft extending from the body along a longitudinal axis, and a needle applier coupled to the elongate shaft. The needle applier further includes a needle and a drive assembly coupled to the needle. The drive assembly is configured to rotate the needle about a rotation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, in response to an actuation of the user input feature. The needle applier further includes a housing containing the needle and the drive assembly. The housing presents at least one indicator. The least one indicator is positioned to indicate at least one of a position of the needle relative to the housing, and a direction of rotation of the needle relative to the housing.