Surgical apparatus for suturing body tissue

摘要

A surgical apparatus 10 for suturing body tissue comprising first 14 and second 18 jaws relatively movable between an open and closed position, a first needle retaining section 32 having a first securing mechanism 38 mounted therein removably mounted to the first jaw, and a second needle retaining section 52 having a second securing mechanism 78 mounted therein removably mounted to the second jaw. The surgical needle is transferable between the first and second sections upon closing of the jaws such that the surgical needle can be retained in either of the first and second sections by the respective securing mechanism. <IMAGE>