Puncture closure apparatuses, sealing plugs, and related methods

Abstract

A puncture closure device is disclosed. Particularly, a puncture closure device may include an anchor support including a coupling feature and an anchor connected to the anchor support. Further, the puncture closure device may include a movable compression element configured to compress a sealing plug generally between the compression element and the anchor. Such a puncture closure device may be positioned at least partially within an insertion sheath to form a puncture closure assembly. A method of compressing a sealing plug and a method of sealing a puncture are disclosed. In addition, in one embodiment, a sealing plug may comprise a first, a second, and an intermediate end region, wherein the intermediate region has a density less than the first and second end regions. In another embodiment, a sealing plug may include a bore formed therethrough and a plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug.

1 . A puncture closure device, comprising:
 an anchor support;   an anchor connected to the anchor support, wherein the anchor is configured for insertion through a puncture;   a movable compression element configured to be movable between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the compression element to the second position causes coupling of the compression element to the anchor support;   a removable placement rod connected to the anchor support;   a sealing plug positioned between the compression element and the anchor, at least a portion of each of the anchor support and removable placement rod extending through the sealing plug;   wherein the compression element is configured to cause compression of the sealing plug between the compression element and the anchor upon movement of the compression element from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor support with the compressed sealing plug being releaseable from the removable placement rod. 
     
     
         3 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the compression element is movable towards the anchor along a portion of the anchor support and along a portion of the removable placement rod. 
     
     
         4 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor support further comprises a first recess and a second recess, the first recess being located near the first end of the anchor support and the second recess being located at the second end of the anchor support. 
     
     
         5 . The puncture closure device of  claim 4 , wherein the anchor is pivotably connected to the anchor support and at least a portion of the anchor is positionable within the second recess by pivoting of the anchor. 
     
     
         6 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is pivotably connected to the anchor support with a pin. 
     
     
         7 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is pivotably connected to the anchor support with a suture. 
     
     
         8 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the removable placement rod is coupled to the anchor support by a plug affixed to a filament, wherein the plug is removably positioned within the first recess of the anchor support. 
     
     
         9 . The puncture closure device of  claim 8 , wherein sealing plug is cylindrical shaped with a circular cross-section. 
     
     
         10 . The puncture closure device of  claim 9 , wherein the compression element is a ring-shaped element positioned about a portion of the circumference of the removable placement rod. 
     
     
         11 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing plug has a bore positioned generally about a portion of the circumference of the removable placement rod. 
     
     
         12 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing plug comprises collagen. 
     
     
         13 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing plug comprises a first end region, a second end region, and an intermediate region positioned between the first end region and the second end region, wherein the intermediate region comprises a material with a density less than a density of the first end region and a density of the second end region. 
     
     
         14 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing plug comprises a plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug. 
     
     
         15 . The puncture closure device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of linear slits. 
     
     
         16 . The puncture closure device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of helical slits. 
     
     
         17 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing plug has a bore positionable generally about a portion of the circumference of the anchor support. 
     
     
         18 . The puncture closure device of  claim 17 , wherein movement of the compression element from the first position to the second position is intended to cause the bore of the sealing plug to be positioned generally about a portion of the circumference of the anchor support. 
     
     
         19 . The puncture closure device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the anchor support, the anchor, the sealing plug, and the compression element comprises a biologically resorbable material. 
     
     
         20 . The puncture closure device of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug are configured to facilitate radial expansion of the sealing plug in response to longitudinal compression of the sealing plug. 
     
     
         21 . A sealing plug for use in a puncture closure apparatus, comprising:
 a first end region, a second end region, and an intermediate region positioned between the first end region and the second end region, wherein the intermediate region comprises a material with a density less than a density of the first end region and a density of the second end region.   
     
     
         22 . The sealing plug of  claim 21 , wherein the sealing plug further comprises a plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug. 
     
     
         23 . The sealing plug of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug are configured to facilitate radial expansion of the sealing plug in response to longitudinal compression of the sealing plug. 
     
     
         24 . The sealing plug of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of linear slits. 
     
     
         25 . The sealing plug of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of helical slits. 
     
     
         26 . A sealing plug for use in a puncture closure apparatus, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body of bioabsorbable material including a bore formed therethrough and a plurality of slits formed into an exterior surface of the sealing plug, the plurality of slits configured to facilitate radial expansion of the sealing plug in response to longitudinal compression of the sealing plug.   
     
     
         27 . The sealing plug of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of linear slits. 
     
     
         28 . The sealing plug of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of slits comprise a plurality of helical slits.