Arteriotomy Closure Devices and Techniques

Abstract

An arterial closure system includes an arterial closure device (“ACD”) and a deployment tool. The arterial closure device includes a first member forming an enlargement around the circumference of the arterial closure device and being configured to be received against an outer surface of a vessel, a connecting member having a smaller outer diameter than the first member, extending from the first member, and being configured to be positioned within an arteriotomy of a vessel, and a longitudinal channel configured to receive a tube and passing between the first member and the connecting member. The deployment tool includes a handle, a contacting section, and an extension that extends between the handle and the contacting section. The contacting section is designed to mate with the arterial closure device to advance the arterial closure device over the tube and deploy the arterial closure device within the vessel.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . A method of closing an opening in the wall of a tubular vessel, the method comprising:
 providing a tubular medical device; and   providing a tubular vessel closure device configured to close an opening in a tubular vessel, the tubular vessel closure device comprising a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end with a channel passing between the proximal end and the distal end and comprising at least two opposed members formed at least in part from a superelastic/shape memory material and connected to the distal end of the tubular member at a proximal end of the opposed members, wherein the opposed members are configured to be spread apart at their distal end upon application of a force and to move towards each other at their distal end upon removal of the force and thereby appose edges of the opening to close the opening, and the tubular member is configured to be slidably mounted to the tubular medical device;   advancing the tubular medical device to the opening in the wall of the tubular vessel;   advancing the tubular vessel closure device over the tubular medical device until the tubular vessel closure device is proximal or in contact with the wall of the tubular vessel and the distal ends of the opposed members are separated at their distal ends by application of a force; and   removing the force, whereby the opposed members move towards each other while in contact with the vessel wall to close an opening in the vessel wall.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tubular medical device is removed while the force is removed. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tubular medical device is removed after the force is removed. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the securing means comprises one or more of a contact adhesive, a bonding material, barbs, angled edges and protrusions. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the superelastic/shape memory material comprises a nickel titanium alloy. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tubular vessel closure device includes at least one or more of a superelastic/shape memory component, a material that swells or expands when exposed to a fluid, a biodegradable/bioabsorbable material, a therapeutic agent configured to affect healing at the site of implantation of the closure device; or a biocompatible material. 
   
   
       24 - 32 . (canceled) 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the opposed members have a surface configured with a securing means to secure the tubular vessel closure device to the tubular vessel. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tubular vessel closure device is secured temporarily to the tubular vessel. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tubular vessel closure device is secured permanently to the tubular vessel. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the tubular medical device comprises one or more of an introducer, catheter, tube, guide wire, laparoscope, endoscope, trocar, cannula, or electrode wire. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising using a deployment device to advance the tubular vessel closure device over the tubular medical device. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein advancing the tubular medical device to the opening in the wall of the tubular vessel comprises threadably advancing the tubular medical device against the vessel. 
   
   
       39 - 42 . (canceled) 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the deployment device is mounted to the tubular medical device before or after the tubular medical device has been inserted into the body. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the deployment device is mounted to the tubular medical device after the tubular medical device has been inserted into the body and the deployment tool is attached to the tubular medical device by one or more: from the side, through a longitudinal slot, or by using a two piece deployment tool that fits together, whereby the deployment tools covers at least part of the tubular medical device. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the deployment tool comprises an inner wall and an outer wall and the tubular vessel closure device is configured to be positioned in between the two walls whereby the inner and outer walls optionally covers at least part of the tubular vessel closure device. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the deployment tool comprises a pusher tube configured to contact at least a part of the tubular vessel closure device for advancing the tubular vessel closure device into the vessel tissue and optionally separate the tubular vessel closure device from the deployment tool.