Suturing instrument with circular needle motion

A needle applier cartridge configured to be coupled to a needle applying instrument, the needle applier cartridge comprising:

• (a) a needle;
• and
• (b) a drive assembly configured to move the needle through an orbital range of motion along a circular path, the drive assembly comprising:
• (i) a first link,
• (ii) a second link, wherein the second link is in communication with the first link, wherein the first link has a longitudinal length greater than the second link, and
• (iii) a needle driver, wherein the needle driver is coupled to at least a portion of the first link, wherein the first link is responsive to the second link to direct the needle driver along a needle drive path.

A needle applier cartridge configured to be coupled to a needle applying instrument, the needle applier cartridge comprising:

• (a) a needle;
• (b) a drive assembly coupled to the needle, wherein the drive assembly is configured to drive the needle along an orbital path about a rotation axis, wherein the drive assembly comprises a link, wherein the link has a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal length extending between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the link is configured to pivot at the proximal end, wherein the link is further configured to pivot at the distal end;
• and
• (c) a guide assembly, wherein the guide assembly comprises a guide member, wherein the guide member is pivotably coupled relative to the drive assembly, wherein the guide member is configured to pivot to thereby guide a distal portion of the link along a predetermined path.