Vasculature closure methods

Abstract

Vasculature closure devices, and systems and methods for their use, are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes deploying a vasculature closure device including a support frame and a sealing membrane into a vessel through a puncture site, wherein the support frame is in a collapsed configuration during deployment, and expanding the support frame into an expanded configuration within the vessel such that the sealing membrane is pushed against the puncture site.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for sealing a puncture site existing in a wall of a vessel, the method comprising:
 deploying a vasculature closure device comprising a support frame and a sealing membrane into the vessel through the puncture site, wherein the support frame is in a collapsed configuration during deployment; and   expanding the support frame into an expanded configuration within the vessel such that the sealing membrane is pushed against the puncture site.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame extends along a majority of an inner circumference of the vessel when the support frame is in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame holds the device in place within the vessel when the support frame is in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expanding the support frame comprises unrolling the device along a longitudinal axis generally aligned with and extending along a length of the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expanding the support frame comprises unrolling the device from the collapsed configuration having a first radius of curvature less than a radius of curvature of the vessel into the expanded configuration having a second radius of curvature greater than the radius of curvature of the vessel. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein opposing sides of the support frame overlap one another when the support frame is in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the opposing sides of the support frame are spaced apart from one another when the support frame is in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing at least a portion of the sealing membrane to move relative to the support frame such that the sealing membrane conforms to a shape of the wall of the vessel near the puncture site. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing membrane comprises excess material relative to the support frame such that the sealing membrane conforms to a shape of the wall of the vessel near the puncture site. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to expanding the support frame, positioning the device within the vessel proximate the puncture site. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein positioning the device comprises pulling an anchoring tab or a pull string of the device through the puncture site. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising securing the anchoring tab or the pull string to tissue outside of the vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying the device comprises deploying the device into the vessel via a sheath. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein deploying the device further comprises passing the device through the sheath via a push rod. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 prior to deploying the device, inserting the device into a loading tube in the collapsed configuration;   inserting the loading tube into a sheath; and   removing the loading tube from the sheath, leaving the support frame and the sealing membrane within the sheath for deployment into the vessel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein expanding the support frame comprises releasing a containment mechanism encircling the device when in the collapsed configuration to allow the support frame to expand within the vessel. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the support frame is formed of a pre-shaped material adapted for expanding toward a stable state. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the support frame is formed of a non-biodegradable material, and wherein the sealing membrane is formed of a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a femoral artery. 
     
     
         20 . A method for sealing a puncture site existing in a wall of a vessel, the method comprising:
 deploying a vasculature closure device comprising a non-biodegradable support frame and a biodegradable sealing membrane into the vessel through the puncture site, wherein the support frame is in a collapsed configuration during deployment;   expanding the support frame into an expanded configuration within the vessel such that the sealing membrane at least partially seals the puncture site.   
     
     
         21 . A method for sealing a puncture site existing in a wall of a vessel, the method comprising:
 deploying a vasculature closure device comprising a support frame and a sealing membrane into the vessel through the puncture site, wherein the support frame is in a collapsed configuration during deployment;   unrolling the support frame into an expanded configuration within the vessel such that the sealing membrane at least partially seals the puncture site.