Biological tissue closure device and method

Abstract

Devices and methods for biological tissue closure are disclosed. Arteriotomy closure and hemostasis devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can provide a lateral tension across an opening in the tissue and apply energy to seal the tissue is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.

1 . A device for closing an opening in biological tissue, comprising:
 a tensioner, wherein the tensioner is configured to tension the opening; and   a seal applier.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioner comprises a first elongated member and a second elongated member. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first elongated member is configured to bias away from the second elongated member. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the second elongated member is configured to bias away from the first elongated member. 
   
   
       5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the elongated members comprise wires. 
   
   
       6 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein one or more elongated members comprise the seal applier. 
   
   
       7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the seal applier comprises an energy transducer. 
   
   
       8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the energy transducer comprises one or more RF transducers. 
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal applier comprises an RF transducer. 
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal applier comprises an acoustic transducer. 
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal applier comprises a microwave transducer. 
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal applier comprises a heater. 
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the heater comprises an inductive heater. 
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the heater comprises a resistive heater. 
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the heater comprises a microwave heater. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal applier comprises a hole. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the hole comprises a microscopic pore. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the seal applier comprises a web. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the web comprises a first fiber and a second fiber. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the first fiber crosses the second fiber. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the web comprises a bioabsorbable material. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the web comprises a conductive material. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the web comprises a conductive polymer. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the web comprises an inductively heated material. 
   
   
       25 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the web is removably attached to the device. 
   
   
       26 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening comprises an arteriotomy in a biological vessel. 
   
   
       27 . A vascular closure device using energy to create a hemostatic seal, wherein the device is configured to deliver energy to an arteriotomy, and wherein the device is configured to precisely aim the energy at the arteriotomy. 
   
   
       28 . A device for closing an opening in biological tissue, wherein the opening has an internal wall, comprising:
 a wall manipulator, wherein the wall manipulator is configured to bring a first part of the wall adjacent to a second part of the wall; and   a seal applier.   
   
   
       29 . A device for closing an opening in biological tissue, comprising:
 a delivery guide having a longitudinal axis with a distal direction and a proximal direction;   two expander wires having distal ends, wherein the expander wires have a retracted configuration and an expanded configuration; and   a pressure check port;   wherein the pressure check port is distal to, or aligned with, the distal ends when the expander wires are in a retracted configuration.   
   
   
       30 . A device for closing an opening in biological tissue, comprising:
 a first elongated member; and   a second elongated member, wherein the first elongated member and the second elongated member are configured to laterally expand the opening.   
   
   
       31 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the first elongated member is configured to apply a first force in a first direction against the opening, and wherein the second elongated member is configured to apply a second force in a second direction against the opening, and wherein the first direction is substantially opposite to the second direction. 
   
   
       31 - 59 . (canceled) 
   
   
       60 . A method for closing a subcutaneous opening in a biological tissue, comprising:
 locating the opening; and   transmitting a first energy to the opening, wherein transmitting the first energy comprises transmitting from outside of the surface of the skin.   
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein the first energy comprises acoustic energy. 
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein transmitting comprises delivering the first energy from more than one source. 
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 62 , wherein transmitting comprises transmitting from a phased array source. 
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising applying a sealer to the opening, wherein the sealer is applied from a closure device located subcutaneously. 
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the sealer comprises a second energy. 
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the second energy comprises RF energy. 
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the second energy comprises acoustic energy. 
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the second energy comprises conductive heat. 
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 65 , wherein the second energy comprises microwave energy. 
   
   
       70 . A method for closing a subcutaneous opening in a biological vessel, comprising:
 inserting in a first direction a closure device into the vessel, wherein the closure device comprises a pressure check port;   detecting fluid pressure across the pressure check port;   removing in a second direction the closure device from the vessel, wherein the second direction is substantially opposite to the first direction;   steadying the closure device after not detecting fluid pressure.   
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising expanding the opening. 
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 71 , wherein expanding the opening comprises laterally expanding the opening. 
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein detecting comprises visually detecting fluid flow. 
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 73 , wherein fluid flow comprises fluid flow outside of a proximal end of the closure device. 
   
   
       75 - 78 . (canceled) 
   
   
       79 . The device of  claim 30 , wherein the opening is an arteriotomy.