Patent ID: 7862572

Claim:
A suturing device having a proximal end and a distal end comprising: a) a suturing head disposed proximate the distal end of the device, the suturing head defining a circular needle track for receiving a circular suturing needle, wherein the area within the circular arc of the needle is unobstructed, and wherein the suturing head includes: i) a circular suturing needle disposed in the needle track, the needle track being adapted and configured to guide the needle along a curved path about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the suturing device, the needle having a curved body covering an arc greater than about 180Â°, wherein the needle body defines a flat plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device and parallel to the needle track and the needle body defines an annularly shaped projection on the plane, wherein the annular projection defines an inner radius on the plane from the center of the circular suturing needle to the inner boundary of the annular projection and an outer radius on the plane from the center of the circular suturing needle to an outer boundary of the annular projection, and wherein the needle defines an inner surface, and outer surface and a top surface with respect to the plane; and ii) a reciprocating drive adapted to engage an engagement surface of the suturing needle and advancing the suturing needle about a 360Â° path in a plurality of drive strokes, wherein the drive can selectively engage and disengage from the needle a plurality of times to drive the needle about a 360Â° rotation in the needle track, the drive including a first portion adapted to engage the needle and reciprocate along an arcuate extent of the needle track of about 180Â° or greater, and a reciprocating drive cable attached to the first portion, wherein the drive cable reciprocates along the longitudinal axis of the device, wherein the drive engages the needle at a location in the plane of the needle that is outside the inner radius of the plane, and wherein the drive mechanism is wholly disposed at a location outside the inner radius of the plane such that the area within the circular arc of the needle is unobstructed during operation of the device.