Abstract: A surgical needle holder for use in open or laparoscopic surgery, that grasps a needle or a suture filament . The needle holder has a lower jaw, and an upper jaw moveable from an open to a closed position. The lower jaw has a pair of lower jaw ledge surfaces and a groove. The upper jaw has a grasping protrusion surface that can be embedded within a groove in the lower jaw, when the upper jaw is closed. When the jaws are closed on a needle, it is grasped with a three point needle contact system. The needle contact points are the two lower jaw ledges and the upper jaw grasping protrusion surface. Closure of the jaws on a curved needle "rights" the needle. When the jaws are closed on a suture filament, the upper jaw protrusion surface and the groove form a labyrinth path that effectively grasps the suture filament relative to the end effector. This enables the surgeon to apply tension to a suture to produce a tight knot or, when proximating tissue, tension a suture loop.

Abstract: A suture cartridge assembly is disclosed. The assembly has a suture cartridge containing a slot for receiving a suture filament and a cartridge top for covering at least a portion of the filament. A grasping jaw faces the cartridge top, and it is movable from an open position spaced from the cartridge top to a closed position adjacent the cartridge top. The slot in the cartridge for receiving the filament facilitates the formation and placement of surgical knots made from the suture filament, particularly when knots are needed at remote surgical sites such as during minimally invasive surgery. The placement and deployment of the knot is further facilitated because the grasping jaw can grasp the filament or the tissue which is desired to be sutured when the jaw is moved from its open to closed positions.