Patent ID: 7947052

Claim:
A suturing apparatus for the continuous application of a suture, comprising: a suturing head shaped and dimensioned for attachment to a distal end of a support member, the suturing head including a track shaped and dimensioned for supporting and guiding the needle for movement in a predetermined circular path under the control of a drive assembly; a support arm including first and second lateral arms connected by a central connecting member supporting the track, wherein the support arm includes a longitudinal axis and the track and needle lie in a transverse plane, angular orientation of the support arm relative to the track and needle is achieved by positioning the transverse plane of the track at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support arm such that the needle is moved about a circular pattern while being on an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support arm thereby providing operators with improved access to the surgical site; and the drive assembly coupled to the needle for driving the needle about the predetermined circular path under the guidance of the track, the drive assembly includes a drive shaft including a longitudinal axis in parallel alignment with the longitudinal axis of the support arm, the drive shaft rotating about the longitudinal axis thereof.