A surgical suturing apparatus includes a flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end has a handle attached thereto and the distal end has a suturing body attached thereto. The handle is operatively connected to the suturing body. The suturing body includes a suture housing in which a needle and drive assembly are housed for movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about an arcuate path facilitating application of a suture to tissue. A mechanism is provided for accommodating and operating different sized needles and different sized sutures while maintaining the operative connection between the handle and the suturing body.

 
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> Endoscopic instrument with secondary vacuum source

~ 00310