Suturing devices and methods for suturing an anatomic valve

A suturing device, comprising:

• an elongate member comprising a distal end;
• at least two arms connected with the elongate member near the distal end, each of the at least two arms configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position, each arm comprising at least one suture mount located near a free end of the arm and configured to releasably retain a suture portion, wherein the free ends of the at least two arms in their extended positions are spaced apart from each other;
• at least two needles connected with the elongate body and positioned proximal to the at least two arms, each of the needles configured to move between a retracted position and a deployed position to retrieve the suture portion retained in the at least one suture mount of one of the at least two arms when the needle is moved from the retracted position to the deployed position and returned to the retracted position;
• and
• at least two protective members, each protective member configured to inhibit contact between a distal end of one of the at least two needles and surrounding tissue during at least a portion of the movement of the needle from its retracted position toward its deployed position, wherein each protective member is configured to house one needle and move between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein moving the protective member from its retracted position to its deployed position aligns the protective member with one of the deployed free ends of one of the at least two arms.