Abstract: A suturing device and method of use involve inserting the device into a hole, positioning material around the hole into a notch of the device, passing a needle through a cavity in the device and the material positioned in the notch, and lining up an eye of the needle with a portal for passage of a suture. A suture is then passed through the eye of the needle and the needle is removed from the material (such as skin and fascia) with the suture. The suture is then removed and the process is repeated with another end of the suture at another location through the material, around the hole. When the suture is passed through the second point of penetration, the suture now extends both into and out of the material at different points around the hole and can be tied.

Abstract: The invention is a lighted gastric surgical bougie which includes an integral light source disposed at the distal end that, when activated, is detectable through the gastric wall of a patient during gastric surgery. The light source enables a surgeon to identify the location of the bougie within the patient. The light source may include at least one LED integrally disposed at the distal end. Optionally, a second LED is integrally disposed on the main body a longitudinal distance away from the at least one LED at the distal end. The second LED may be disposed near the tapered region so that a surgeon can readily identify the location of the tapered region with respect to the patient's anatomy. Preferably, the second LED at the proximal portion of the tapered region is visibly different than the at least one LED. Alternatively, the light source is chemiluminescent.