body of the device in various embodiments such angles are non perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the suturing device more particularly one arm may be extended to a position less than 90 degrees to the body of the device whereas the other arm may be extended to a position more than 90 degrees to the body of the device a second feature of various embodiments of the present split arm suturing device is that each of its arms may be extended one at a time separately or taken together these two features of the present invention provide a system which may be conveniently positioned to enter the blood vessel at a non perpendicular angle thus minimizing the potential for damage to the blood vessel while ensuring proper placement of the suture thus an operator can gain better access to smaller arteries and maintain a smaller elbow height as compared to the suturing device of fig1 to 3 thus the present independently operable split arm suturing device offers significantly increased flexibility to the operator as compared to the suturing device of fig1 to 3 referring first to fig4 a and 4b split arm suturing device 600 is shown prior to deployment i e in its compact position suturing device 600 has moveable arms 610 and 620 which can be pivoted relative to the longitudinal axis l of suturing device 600 arms.