A suturing device comprising: - an arcuate suturing needle (26,102) that is protected by a circular housing cartridge, the suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; wherein the pointed end of the needle is entirely contained within the housing cartridge; - a cartridge holder assembly capable of releasably engaging the cartridge; - a needle rotation drive adapted to rotate the needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive, wherein the cartridge further comprises: a curved lip covering an arc greater than 180° and less than 330°; a track defined by a circular groove inscribed on an inner surface of the cartridge, wherein the needle follows a curved path along the track during needle rotation; and an aperture in the curved lip which intercepts the track whereby the pointed end of the suturing needle traverses the aperture during each revolution of the suturing needle along the path and characterized in that the cartridge holder assembly is attached to a support arm assembly comprised of at least one arm, wherein the at least one support arm defines a relatively wide opening that allows the user to directly view the aperture in the housing cartridge and needle advancement through incised tissue segments during operation of suturing device. - an arcuate suturing needle (26,102) that is protected by a circular housing cartridge, the suturing needle having a pointed end and a blunt end, the suturing needle capable of rotating about an axis; wherein the pointed end of the needle is entirely contained within the housing cartridge; - a cartridge holder assembly capable of releasably engaging the cartridge; - a needle rotation drive adapted to rotate the needle about the axis; and an actuator capable of releasably engaging the needle rotation drive to rotate the needle rotation drive, wherein the cartridge further comprises: a curved lip covering an arc greater than 180° and less than 330°; a track defined by a circular groove inscribed on an inner surface of the cartridge, wherein the needle follows a curved path along the track during needle rotation; and an aperture in the curved lip which intercepts the track whereby the pointed end of the suturing needle traverses the aperture during each revolution of the suturing needle along the path and characterized in that the cartridge holder assembly is attached to a support arm assembly comprised of at least one arm, wherein the at least one support arm defines a relatively wide opening that allows the user to directly view the aperture in the housing cartridge and needle advancement through incised tissue segments during operation of suturing device. a curved lip covering an arc greater than 180° and less than 330°; a track defined by a circular groove inscribed on an inner surface of the cartridge, wherein the needle follows a curved path along the track during needle rotation; and an aperture in the curved lip which intercepts the track whereby the pointed end of the suturing needle traverses the aperture during each revolution of the suturing needle along the path and characterized in that the cartridge holder assembly is attached to a support arm assembly comprised of at least one arm, wherein the at least one support arm defines a relatively wide opening that allows the user to directly view the aperture in the housing cartridge and needle advancement through incised tissue segments during operation of suturing device.