Methods for the placement of sutures in tissue

1. A method for the placement of sutures in tissue prior to forming an opening in the tissue, the sutures for use in closing the opening, the method comprising the steps of:

passing a first length of suture through a first portion of a tissue in a first direction relative to a target area to be incised;

passing the first length of suture through a second portion of the tissue in the first direction;

passing a second length of suture through a third portion of the tissue in a second direction relative to the target area to be incised;

passing the second length of suture through a fourth portion of the tissue in the second direction, wherein the first and second lengths of suture extend generally along a longitudinal axis of the opening to be formed in the tissue;

performing a surgical procedure including forming the opening in the tissue; and

applying tension to the first length of suture and the second length of suture generally along the longitudinal axis of the opening to close the opening in the tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

prior to passing the first length of suture through the first portion of the tissue, positioning a suturing device having the first length of suture a first distance from a target area to be incised.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

prior to positioning the suturing device, selecting the target area to be incised.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

prior to passing the first length of suture through the second portion of the tissue, positioning the suturing device having the first length of suture a second distance greater than the first distance from the target area to be incised.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

prior to passing the second length of suture through the third portion of the tissue, positioning a suturing device having the second length of suture a third distance from the target area to be incised.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the third distance is substantially equal in length to the first distance.

7. A method for the placement of sutures in tissue prior to forming an opening in the tissue, the sutures for use in closing the opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a needle having a first suture attached thereto;

passing the needle having the first suture attached thereto through a first location disposed a first distance from a target area to be incised, the first location being in a first direction from the target area to be incised;

passing the needle having the first suture attached thereto through a second location disposed a second distance greater than the first distance from the target area to be incised, the second location being in the first direction;

attaching a second suture to the needle;

passing the needle having the second suture attached thereto through a third location disposed a third distance from the target area to be incised, the third location being in a second direction from the target area to be incised, wherein the first and second directions extend generally along a longitudinal axis of the opening to be formed in the tissue;

passing the needle having the second suture attached thereto through a fourth location disposed a fourth distance greater than the third distance from the target area to be incised, the fourth location being in the second direction;

performing a surgical procedure including forming the opening in the tissue; and

applying tension to the first suture in the first direction and to the second suture in the second direction to close the opening in the tissue.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the third distance is substantially equal to the first distance.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the fourth distance is substantially equal to the second distance.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the tension applied to the first length of suture and the second length of suture to close the opening in the tissue is applied generally along a longitudinal axis of the opening in the tissue.

11. A method for the placement of sutures in tissue prior to forming an opening in the tissue, the sutures for use in closing the opening, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a needle having a first suture attached thereto;

passing the needle having the first suture attached thereto through a first location disposed a first distance from a target area to be incised, the first location being in a first direction from the target area to be incised;

passing the needle having the first suture attached thereto through a second location disposed a second distance greater than the first distance from the target area to be incised, the second location being in the first direction;

attaching a second suture to the needle;

passing the needle having the second suture attached thereto through a third location disposed a third distance from the target area to be incised, the third location being in a second direction from the target area to be incised;

passing the needle having the second suture attached thereto through a fourth location disposed a fourth distance greater than the third distance from the target area to be incised, the fourth location being in the second direction;

performing a surgical procedure including forming the opening in the tissue; and

applying tension to the first suture in the first direction and to the second suture in the second direction to close the opening in the tissue, wherein the tension applied to the first suture and the second suture to close the opening in the tissue is applied generally along a longitudinal axis of the opening in the tissue.