Abstract: A surgical end effector apparatus and method places suture materials in tissue inside the body. The surgical end effector comprises a hollow sharp elongated cannula that conveys an internal flexible shaft suture conveyance that is advanced after the assembly is inserted in the tissue. When advanced beyond the inserter, the tip of the internal shaft can move laterally by spring rebound force and/or a suture tension can also be used to induce lateral displacement of the tip to form a taught bowstring array, to facilitate suture retrieval by positioning the suture at a right angle to the inserter cannula, and by further rotation of the of the taught bowstring array. The tip of the shaft can also be sharp to enable lateral puncture of tissue. An alternative embodiment comprises a suture retriever arm.

Abstract: A device is provided for advancing a winding of a knot through a space which is too small for conventional methods. The device can be used, for example, to advance the knot of a suture through an endoscopic portal. The device has opposed pulley-like surface for guiding the ends of the suture away from the winding as the winding is advanced through the portal.