An apparatus and a method for surgical suturing with thread management. An
apparatus for tissue suturing comprising a cartridge having a suturing
needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable
of rotating about an axis; a pusher assembly comprising a cartridge
holder having a needle rotation drive capable of releasably engaging the
cartridge and rotating the suturing needle about the axis; and an
actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to
rotate the needle rotation drive. A method for suturing tissue comprising
placing a suturing device having a cartridge containing a suturing needle
to span separated tissue segments; activating an actuator to cause
rotational movement of the suturing needle through the separated tissue
segments; and deactivating the actuator to stop an advancing movement of
the suturing needle to cause a suturing material to be pulled through the
separated tissue segments forming a stitch.