Patent ID: 7232447

Claim:
A suturing instrument comprising: an elongate body member comprising a middle portion and a distal portion extending distally from the middle portion, the distal portion being pivotable about an axis, and deflectable in a plurality of directions relative to the middle portion; and a needle deployment mechanism disposed at least partially within the elongate body member and connectable to a needle for moving the needle out of the distal portion, wherein the distal portion comprises a first beveled surface for contacting the middle portion, the first beveled surface defining a first angle, and wherein the middle portion comprises a second beveled surface for contacting the distal portion, the second beveled surface defining a second angle and being formed with an aperture, wherein the elongate body member further comprises: a plurality of detents defined by the first beveled surface and circumferentially disposed about the first beveled surface; a ball disposed in the second beveled surface and dimensioned to fit at least one of the plurality of detents; a first resilient member for biasing the distal portion towards the middle portion along a longitudinal axis of the elongate member; and a second resilient member disposed in the aperture for biasing the ball into engagement with the at least one of the plurality of detents.