Patent ID: 8038688

Claim:
A method for closing an opening in tissue, comprising: forming an opening in tissue having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface being disposed distally from an exterior skin with the upper surface being disposed proximal the lower surface; performing a medical procedure; disposing an entirety of a length of suture, having a proximal end, a distal end, and an intermediate portion extending from the proximal end to the distal end, distally from the lower surface and through the opening before a portion of the length of suture and a needle associated with the length of suture are withdrawn proximally through tissue adjacent the opening to be closed; retrieving the portion of the length of suture by advancing the needle disposed proximal to the upper surface distally through the tissue; and suturing the opening closed with a suturing device, the length of suture being initially disposed across the opening to be closed with the suturing device, the entire length of suture and the needle associated with the length of suture being withdrawn proximally through tissue adjacent the opening.