Devices and methods for suture placement

A suturing device comprising:

• a curved needle having first end, which is pointed, and a second end;
• a suture connected with the curved needle;
• an elongate body including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
• an actuator interacting with the elongate body and operable between a first operating position and a second operating position;
• and
• a curved needle holder extending away from the distal end portion or provided as part of the distal end portion of the elongate body, the curved needle holder including a distal end section having a distal-most tip, the curved needle holder defining a curved needle passage, which receives at least a portion of the curved needle when the actuator is in the first operating position, and a distal opening,
• wherein movement of the actuator from the first operating position toward the second operating position moves the curved needle in an advance direction with respect to the curved needle holder toward a released condition in which the curved needle is released from the needle holder, and
• wherein the distal end section is configured to allow the second end of the curved needle to release from the curved needle holder at a location offset from the distal-most tip.