Methods and apparatus for hemostasis following arterial catheterization

Abstract

A method for accelerating hemostasis of an artery having a puncture after arterial catheterization, the catheterization using a catheter introducer, the method including the steps of inserting into an artery a catheter introducer prior to arterial catheterization, following arterial catheterization, introducing a hemostasis device into the catheter introducer, such that a forward end of the hemostasis device lies exterior of the artery adjacent a puncture in a wall of the artery, accelerating hemostasis by heating blood in the vicinity of the puncture, thereby shortening the time required for hemostasis and following hemostasis, removing the catheter introducer and hemostasis device from the patient. A method for monitoring the progress of hemostasis of an artery is also disclosed.

1 . A method for monitoring the progress of hemostasis of an artery having a puncture after arterial catheterization, said catheterization using a catheter introducer, the method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting into an artery a catheter introducer prior to arterial catheterization;    following arterial catheterization, introducing a hemostasis device into said catheter introducer, such that a forward end of said hemostasis device lies exterior of the artery adjacent a puncture in a wall of the artery;    during hemostasis, measuring the heat conductivity of blood in the vicinity of said puncture, thereby to provide an output indication of the progress of hemostasis; and    following hemostasis, removing said catheter introducer and said hemostasis device from the patient.    
   
   
       2 . A method for monitoring the progress of hemostasis according to  claim 1  and also comprising inflating a balloon attached to said catheter introducer to block said puncture, prior to said introducing a hemostasis device.  
   
   
       3 . A method for monitoring the progress of hemostasis according to  claim 2  and wherein said removing said catheter introducer also comprises deflating said balloon prior to removing said catheter introducer.  
   
   
       4 . A method for accelerating hemostasis of an artery having a puncture after arterial catheterization, said catheterization using a catheter introducer, the method comprising the steps of: 
 inserting into an artery a catheter introducer prior to arterial catheterization;    following arterial catheterization, introducing a hemostasis device into said catheter introducer, such that a forward end of said hemostasis device lies exterior of the artery adjacent a puncture in a wall of the artery;    accelerating hemostasis by heating blood in the vicinity of said puncture, thereby shortening the time required for hemostasis; and    following hemostasis, removing said catheter introducer and hemostasis device from the patient.    
   
   
       5 . A method for accelerating hemostasis of an artery according to  claim 4  and also comprising inflating a balloon attached to said catheter introducer to block said puncture, prior to said introducing a hemostasis device.  
   
   
       6 . A method for accelerating hemostasis of an artery according to  claim 5  and wherein said removing said catheter introducer also comprises deflating said balloon prior to removing said catheter introducer.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 4  and also comprising measuring the heat conductivity of blood in the vicinity of said puncture during hemostasis, thereby to provide an output indication of the progress of hemostasis.  
   
   
       8 . A hemostasis device comprising: 
 a resistance element, disposed at a forward end of said hemostasis device;    a resistance sensor; and    a resistance indicator, operative to provide an indication of the resistance at said resistance sensor.    
   
   
       9 . A hemostasis device according to  claim 8  and also comprising a power supply serially connected to said resistance element, said resistance sensor and said resistance indicator.  
   
   
       10 . A hemostasis device according to  claim 9  and wherein said power supply is operative to supply a high level current to said resistance element.  
   
   
       11 . A hemostasis device according to  claim 9  and wherein said power supply is operative to supply a low level current to said resistance sensor.