Surgical suturing apparatus and method

An implant manipulator may have a distal end that retains an implant, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The intermediate portion may have a cross-sectional shape that extends along a nonlinear pathway. The intermediate portion may have a selectively bendable portion in which the cross-sectional shape varies to facilitate bending when desired. The implant manipulator may be a needle for a suture passer, with a suture capture feature at the distal end. The suture capture feature may have first and second members that flex apart to permit entry of the suture into a suture capture hole wherein the suture is retained until released. A suture passer may receive the needle in a bore shaped to change the cross-sectional shape to facilitate or restrict bending of the needle, as needed.