A suturing device for minimally invasive suturing comprising: an elongate barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the elongate barrel having an aperture and a circular needle track for receiving a suturing needle; said suturing needle having a pointed end and a curved body capable of rotating about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate barrel, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after a full rotation of the suturing needle; and an area including at least the centre of the circular track within the circular arc of the needle is unobstructed so that the suture head assembly can encompass a maximum amount of tissue within the circular arc of the suturing needle; an actuator extending from the proximal end of the elongate barrel to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle characterized in that the suturing needle has a blunt end and in that the suturing needle is provided with a first and a second notch and in that the needle driver comprises a pawl and the drive mechanism comprises an actuator arm to which the pawl is connected, and a pulley or gear train (72, 74, 76, 78, 172, 174) which supports the actuator arm and pawl whereby the pawl is able to: (a) engage the notch at the beginning of a first drive stroke in a start position; (b) move the needle along the needle track to a rotation position wherein the needle spans the aperture in the suturing head; and (c) disengage from the needle and return to the start position, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to advance the needle through a 360° rotation in a plurality of drive strokes, and wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to engage the second notch of the needle during a second drive stroke. an elongate barrel having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a suture head assembly extending from the distal end of the elongate barrel having an aperture and a circular needle track for receiving a suturing needle; said suturing needle having a pointed end and a curved body capable of rotating about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the elongate barrel, wherein the pointed end of the suturing needle is positioned within the suture head assembly prior to and after a full rotation of the suturing needle; and an area including at least the centre of the circular track within the circular arc of the needle is unobstructed so that the suture head assembly can encompass a maximum amount of tissue within the circular arc of the suturing needle; an actuator extending from the proximal end of the elongate barrel to actuate a drive mechanism having a needle driver for engaging and rotating the suturing needle characterized in that the suturing needle has a blunt end and in that the suturing needle is provided with a first and a second notch and in that the needle driver comprises a pawl and the drive mechanism comprises an actuator arm to which the pawl is connected, and a pulley or gear train (72, 74, 76, 78, 172, 174) which supports the actuator arm and pawl whereby the pawl is able to: (a) engage the notch at the beginning of a first drive stroke in a start position; (b) move the needle along the needle track to a rotation position wherein the needle spans the aperture in the suturing head; and (c) disengage from the needle and return to the start position, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to advance the needle through a 360° rotation in a plurality of drive strokes, and wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to engage the second notch of the needle during a second drive stroke. (a) engage the notch at the beginning of a first drive stroke in a start position; (b) move the needle along the needle track to a rotation position wherein the needle spans the aperture in the suturing head; and (c) disengage from the needle and return to the start position, wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to advance the needle through a 360° rotation in a plurality of drive strokes, and wherein the drive mechanism is adapted to engage the second notch of the needle during a second drive stroke.