A sewing instrument 2, such as for suturing during minimal invasive surgery, comprises first and second jaws 16,18 movable between open and closed positions about a pivot pin 48, and a locking mechanism comprising a first lock to releasably lock a first end of a needle 10 in the first jaw and a second lock to releasably lock a second end of the needle in the second jaw, the needle being curved, pointed at both ends and having a thread receiving portion. The locks may comprise flat springs which are actuated by a drive mechanism 32 to alternately clamp different ends of the needle by a rotary cam, with the jaws being driven open and closed by a mechanism 30 to pass the needle from jaw to jaw, through a material, and back again. The curved needle thread receiving and holding aperture may be either fully enclosed or not fully enclosed by the material of the needle.
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