Systems and methods are provided for a surgical needle counting system for an operating room. A system includes counting apparatus and a removable collecting enclosure positioned at an exit of the counting apparatus. The counting apparatus includes a sensor for sensing a surgical needle when it is dropped into the counting apparatus, and the counting apparatus is configured for storing a number of counted surgical needles.

A method of removing needles operatively associated with suture through tissue surrounding an access tract, the method comprising advancing an elongate distal member along the access tract, locating an elongate proximal member in contact with tissue surrounding the puncture site, the elongate proximal member comprising a guide disposed within the elongate proximal member, a perimeter of the guide forming a plurality of needle receiving gaps that are circumferentially spaced about a needle deployment actuator with a portion of the guide disposed between adjacent needle receiving gaps extending outwardly towards a wall of the lumen of the elongate proximal member, the needle deployment actuator extending to the elongate distal member and being configured to initiate proximal movement of a needle toward an opening of the elongate proximal member, and actuating the needle deployment actuator to move the needle toward the opening of the elongate proximal member.

A method of removing needles operatively associated with suture through tissue surrounding an access tract, the method comprising advancing an elongate distal member along the access tract, locating an elongate proximal member in contact with tissue surrounding the puncture site, the elongate proximal member comprising a guide disposed within the elongate proximal member, a perimeter of the guide forming a plurality of needle receiving gaps that are circumferentially spaced about a needle deployment actuator with a portion of the guide disposed between adjacent needle receiving gaps extending outwardly towards a wall of the lumen of the elongate proximal member, the needle deployment actuator extending to the elongate distal member and being configured to initiate proximal movement of a needle toward an opening of the elongate proximal member, and actuating the needle deployment actuator to move the needle toward the opening of the elongate proximal member.