Patent ID: 7976555

Claim:
A needle loader for a suturing device comprising: a) a generally toroidally shaped suturing needle capable of traveling on a circular needle track of the suturing device; b) a generally planar needle supporting surface; c) a hub configured and adapted for receiving the suturing needle around the hub, wherein the hub is adapted and configured to be received by a portion of the suturing device; and d) a retainer for retaining the suturing needle in a fixed toroidal rotational position with respect to the hub about a center axis of the suturing needle rotation to create an interference fit between the hub and a bearing surface on the retainer to retain the suturing needle in the fixed toroidal rotational position with respect to the hub, wherein the suturing needle mounted around the hub is selectively disposable on and removable from the hub, and further wherein the needle loader is adapted and configured to be withdrawn from the suturing device leaving the suturing needle installed in the suturing device.