A tissue closure system comprising: a suture retriever or grasper; and a tissue closure device comprising an elongated body, an actuator rod, and a suture, wherein: the elongated body defines a central longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending axially through the elongated body; the actuator rod extends at least partially through the lumen of the elongated body; and the tissue closure device further comprises a plurality of wings and a plurality of shields, the plurality of wings being mounted to the elongated body, wherein the elongated body includes at least one needle guide lumen with an opening and an exit, the at least one needle guide lumen traversing the elongated body at an angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body, wherein a distal portion of the elongated body is pivotally connected to the plurality of wings, which are pivotally connected to the plurality of shields, wherein the plurality of shields are pivotally connected to a distal tip portion of the tissue closure device, the distal tip portion being attached to a distal end of the actuator rod, wherein the plurality of wings each include an opening to allow passage of the suture retriever or grasper into a suture retrieval space receiving a portion of the suture and defined between one each of the plurality of wings and plurality of shields when said wings and shield are extended away from the elongated body (116; 1102) in a deployed position of the tissue closure device, and wherein the plurality of shields are configured to prevent inadvertent needle perforation of organs, vessels, or other tissues by the suture retriever or grasper as the suture retriever or grasper is inserted through the opening of the plurality of wings to grasp the portion of the suture in the suture retrieval space. a suture retriever or grasper; and a tissue closure device comprising an elongated body, an actuator rod, and a suture, wherein: the elongated body defines a central longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending axially through the elongated body; the actuator rod extends at least partially through the lumen of the elongated body; and the tissue closure device further comprises a plurality of wings and a plurality of shields, the plurality of wings being mounted to the elongated body, the elongated body defines a central longitudinal axis and includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending axially through the elongated body; the actuator rod extends at least partially through the lumen of the elongated body; and the tissue closure device further comprises a plurality of wings and a plurality of shields, the plurality of wings being mounted to the elongated body, wherein the elongated body includes at least one needle guide lumen with an opening and an exit, the at least one needle guide lumen traversing the elongated body at an angle with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the elongated body, wherein a distal portion of the elongated body is pivotally connected to the plurality of wings, which are pivotally connected to the plurality of shields, wherein the plurality of shields are pivotally connected to a distal tip portion of the tissue closure device, the distal tip portion being attached to a distal end of the actuator rod, wherein the plurality of wings each include an opening to allow passage of the suture retriever or grasper into a suture retrieval space receiving a portion of the suture and defined between one each of the plurality of wings and plurality of shields when said wings and shield are extended away from the elongated body (116; 1102) in a deployed position of the tissue closure device, and wherein the plurality of shields are configured to prevent inadvertent needle perforation of organs, vessels, or other tissues by the suture retriever or grasper as the suture retriever or grasper is inserted through the opening of the plurality of wings to grasp the portion of the suture in the suture retrieval space.