Patent ID: 8177796

Claim:
A suturing apparatus for passing suture through a tissue body, comprising: a first jaw member disposed at a distal end of the suturing apparatus, the first jaw member having an aperture extending therethrough; a needle having a suture engagement feature, the needle movable between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the distal end of the suturing apparatus, wherein in the extended position a portion of the needle extends through the aperture to carry a portion of suture through the aperture; and a capture feature formed on the distal end of the suturing apparatus, the capture feature actuable to releasably grip and retain suture; wherein the suturing apparatus is actuable by a single actuation of an mechanism, while remaining in an unmoved juxtaposition relative to the tissue body, to move the needle from the retracted position to the extended position to carry the portion of suture through the tissue body and the aperture, and to actuate the capture feature to firmly and releasably grip the portion of suture after the portion of suture has been carried by the needle through the tissue body and the aperture.