Patent ID: 7879048

Claim:
A suturing device, comprising: a suture cartridge, the suture cartridge comprising a molded tip having a groove which is engageable with a length of suture; a needle which is axially movable distally and proximally substantially along a longitudinal axis; a soft tissue receiving recess disposed proximally of said suture cartridge, the soft tissue receiving recess defined by a soft tissue clamping mechanism, wherein the clamping mechanism comprises at least one movable jaw, and wherein the needle is axially movable around the at least one movable jaw; and the molded tip having a ramp portion disposed proximal to said groove and distal to said soft tissue receiving recess for re-directing said needle radially inwardly and outwardly with respect to said suture cartridge as the needle moves axially over said ramp portion wherein said needle comprises a distal point and said distal point is movable from a first retracted position, proximal to said soft tissue receiving recess, to a second extended position distal to said soft tissue receiving recess and said groove, wherein said needle engages the ramp portion and the distal point is deflected away from the length of suture in moving from the first retracted position to the second extended position.