Patent ID: 8267947

Claim:
A suturing device for suturing an opening in a vascular vessel, said device comprising: a proximal member including an elongated body having a single needle channel configured to receive a plurality of needles one at a time therethrough; a distal member configured to be inserted within a lumen of the vascular vessel, said distal member having a receptacle located therein; an intermediate member disposed between the proximal member and the distal member, said intermediate member defining a tissue receiving area and having a first opening providing a passageway to the single needle channel and a second opening providing a passageway into the receptacle; a length of suture material comprising a first end having a first needle engaging fitting and a second end having a second needle engaging fitting, the first needle engaging fitting and the second needle engaging fitting being positioned in the receptacle, wherein the receptacle in said distal member is substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of said needle channel and the entire length of suture is positioned in the receptacle and wherein the first needle engaging fitting has a cross-sectional diameter greater than that of the second needle engaging fitting within the receptacle.