Ultrasonic vascular closure method

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a low frequency ultrasonic device for the delivery and activation of collagen based foam sealants to a human and/or animal patient for sealing puncture wounds in vascular tissues. The ultrasonic vascular closure method relates to an ultrasonic generator, an ultrasound transducer, a chamber containing a foam sealant, a transducer tip, a radiation surface, an orifice located at the distal end of the chamber. The foam sealant is ejected into a puncture wound and activated with ultrasonic waves emitting from the radiation surface. The ultrasonic waves induce vibrations within the foam sealant, slightly warming the foam sealants to assist the rapid sealing the puncture. The ultrasonic waves also provide and anesthetic effect for the pain and discomfort from the puncture site.

1 . A method for sealing tissue wounds comprising the steps of:
 Loading a foam sealant into a chamber;   ejecting the foam sealant from the chamber into a wound;   propagating ultrasonic energy through the sealant; and   sealing the tissue puncture wound.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  having the additional step of focusing the ultrasound energy. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein propagating ultrasonic energy through the foam sealant provides activation of the foam sealant. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the propagating ultrasonic energy through the foam sealant also produces heat. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the propagating ultrasonic energy through the foam sealant increases the integrity of a plug formed by the foam sealant. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the propagating ultrasonic energy through the foam sealant also produces cavitation. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the propagating ultrasonic energy through the foam sealant also produces standing waves within the cavity. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  characterized by the foam sealant including an antibiotic. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  characterized by the foam sealant including an anesthetic. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  also including the step of ejecting an anchor from the chamber. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  also including the step of ejecting a thread from the chamber. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasound energy propagated through the foam sealant is emitted from an ultrasound transducer vibrated at a frequency of approximately 30 kHz. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  having the additional step of moving at least a portion of the ultrasound transducer within the chamber. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  having the additional step of pushing at least a portion of the ultrasound transducer outside the chamber. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  having the additional step of using the foam sealant as a coupling medium. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  characterized by utilizing the ultrasound energy to assist ejecting the foam sealant from the chamber. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein propagating ultrasonic energy through the foam sealant also produces anesthetic effects. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein ultrasound energy propagated through the foam sealant activates a therapeutic agent. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasound energy propagated through the foam sealant is emitted from an ultrasound transducer vibrated at a frequency between 16 kHz and 20 mHz. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ultrasound energy propagated through the foam sealant is emitted from an ultrasound transducer at an amplitude within a range of 1 micron to 300 microns.