Patent ID: 7628796

Claim:
A surgical suturing apparatus, comprising: a suture housing; a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, the needle defines an arc and is curved to rotate about a continuous circular path, the needle includes an interior surface along an inner surface of the arc defined by the needle and an exterior surface along an outer surface of the arc defined by the needle, a series of notches are cut into the needle; a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path in a first direction in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, the drive assembly includes a friction camming member which translates both radially and arcuately to selectively engage and disengage the needle in a manner facilitating controlled movement of the needle; and an anti-backup mechanism associated with the needle for preventing movement of the needle in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the anti-backup mechanism includes a lever arm including a first end pivotally secured to the housing and a second end extending toward and into contact with the notches formed along the needle.