Endoscopic vascular suturing apparatus

An apparatus (232) for suturing tissue endoscopically comprising: a) an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis; b) a first needle holding jaw (176, 186, 210) mounted for movement parallel to the longitudinal axis; c) a second needle holding jaw mounted for movement parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein a surgical needle (12) is held substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; the needle being transferable between the first and second needle holding jaws; d) a securing mechanism for holding the needle in one of the first and second needle holding jaws; e) said securing mechanism comprising: i) a needle-guiding recess (178, 192, 212), V-shaped and distally open; ii) a needle-receiving portion (180, 194, 214) at the apex of the V-shaped recess; iii) a needle-engaging member (182, 202, 222), axially slidable along said longitudinal axis relative to the needle-receiving portion, to hold the needle in the portion.