Patent ID: 7887554

Claim:
A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising: a suture housing; a needle having a proximal end and a distal end, as well as an inner surface and an exterior surface, the needle being mounted within the suture housing for movement about a complete revolution of a predetermined continuous circular path; a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the circular path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue; and means for determining the position of and providing tactile feedback regarding at least one of the distal end of the needle and the proximal end of the needle at all points along the circular path about which the needle moves, the means for determining position and providing tactile feedback including a spring ratchet pawl lock directly secured along the suture housing for engaging a recess formed along the needle, the spring ratchet pawl lock includes a pawl lock lever arm having a first end pivotally secured to the housing at a position along a forward end of the needle path and a second end extending toward and into contact with the exterior surface of the needle.