Patent ID: 7601161

Claim:
A method of suturing a portion of biological tissue using a suturing device having a longitudinal axis, a needle attached to a suture, a needle driver, and at least one needle holder, the method comprising: (a) positioning a distal needle holder in a distal position relative to the portion of biological tissue, the distal needle holder adapted to releasably hold the needle, positioning a proximal needle holder in a proximal position relative to the portion of biological tissue, the proximal needle holder adapted to releasably hold the needle, and positioning a distal end of the needle driver in a proximal position relative to the portion of biological tissue; (b) positioning the needle in either the proximal position or the distal position; (c) moving the needle driver longitudinally in a first direction along a path substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis such that the needle and suture pass through the portion of biological tissue, thereby forming a suture incision through which the suture passes; and (d) repeating (a)-(c) to form a series of stitches; wherein the needle is positioned in a proximal position relative to the portion of biological tissue by releasably holding the needle in the proximal needle holder positioned in a proximal position relative to the portion of biological tissue; and wherein the needle is positioned in the proximal position relative to the portion of biological tissue by releasably holding the needle with the distal needle holder positioned in the distal position relative to the portion of biological tissue and translating the distal needle holder to the proximal position.