the suturing system and are secured in place by notches 42 turned inward into the body of the distal end or alternatively into small grooves the needle catch 20 is preferably made of thin stainless steel material in particular high temper stainless steel the needle catch may be manufactured by stamping laser machining or chemical etching for example referring to fig1 c in the longitudinal groove 12 is positioned a needle carrier 44 having a convex u bend 46 at the end 48 of the needle carrier is a needle holder 50 that defines a hole with a recess 52 for lodging the needle 54 and suture 56 when the needle carrier 44 is actuated along the longitudinal axis of the elongated body member the needle carrier 44 advances the needle 54 linearly from the distal end of the longitudinal groove 12 through the tissue located within the opening 18 and into the needle catch 20 the release of the needle 54 from the needle carrier 44 occurs upon reverse motion of the needle carrier 44 referring to fig1 d suitable needles 54 for positioning into the needle holder 50 include a neck 58 with a hole at one of its ends for inserting a suture 56 and at least one shoulder 60 the body 62.