Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device which is capable of both locating a punctured blood vessel wall and sealing the puncture in the vessel and to the method of using the device as well. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongate deployment member having a sealing element releasably disposed within a distal end thereof, said deployment member being coupled to a first actuator configured to retract said deployment member relative to said sealing element, and an elongated indicator member having a proximal end and a distal end, said indicator member extending through a lumen in said deployment member such that the distal end of said indicator member extends distally of the distal end of the deployment member, and said indicator member being coupled to a second actuator configured to retract said indicator member relative to said deployment member.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a plug including external threads, a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, and an annular collet slidably disposed within the lumen. The plug is carried on a distal end of a handle device that includes an inner member with a distal end that is slidable axially within the lumen of the body for moving the collet into a reduced cross-sectional region of the lumen, thereby compressing the collet to seal the lumen, and for deploying the plug from the handle device. During use, the plug is delivered into a passage through tissue over a guide wire. Once a desired location is reached, the plug is deployed from the handle device, thereby compressing the collet and sealing the lumen. The guide wire and handle device are removed, leaving the plug to seal the passage.

Abstract: A device which is capable of both locating a punctured blood vessel wall and sealing the puncture in the vessel and a method of using the device. In one embodiment, the device includes an elongate deployment member having a releasable sealing element disposed within a distal end and an elongated indicator member having a proximal end and a distal end. The deployment member is coupled to a first actuator configured to retract the deployment member relative to the sealing element. The indicator member extends through a lumen in the deployment member such that the distal end of said the indicator member extends distally of the distal end of the deployment member. The indicator member is also coupled to a second actuator configured to retract the indicator member relative to the deployment member.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for use in sealing a vascular puncture site, particularly sites of punctures that are the result of catheterization or other interventional procedures. In several of the preferred embodiments, the sealing device includes a sealing member and a tether. The sealing member generally performs the function of occupying a space in an incision, puncture, or other wound and sealing the space in the incision, puncture, or wound that it occupies, to prevent further blood flow. The tether is typically attached in some manner to the sealing member, and provides the user with the ability to withdraw the sealing member if necessary. In a particularly preferred form, the sealing device further includes a restraining member associated with the sealing member. The restraining member provides the ability to more securely restrain the sealing member to prevent it from migrating from the deployment location within a tissue tract.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a blood vessel includes a bioabsorbable plug member coupled to the distal end of a carrier member. The plug member includes a lumen extending therethrough that communicates with a lumen extending through the carrier member. A sealing member is disposed in the plug member lumen for sealing the lumen. A guide member is slidable into the lumen such that edges of a groove extending between proximal and distal portions of the guide member engage a wall of the lumen to define a bleed back lumen. The guide member is inserted into the passage until the distal portion enters the vessel. The plug member is advanced over the guide member until the plug member enters the vessel, whereupon blood enters the bleed back lumen to identify the location of the vessel relative to the plug member.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a plug including external threads, a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, and an annular collet slidably disposed within the lumen. The plug is carried on a distal end of a handle device that includes an inner member with a distal end that is slidable axially within the lumen of the body for moving the collet into a reduced cross-sectional region of the lumen, thereby compressing the collet to seal the lumen, and for deploying the plug from the handle device. During use, the plug is delivered into a passage through tissue over a guide wire. Once a desired location is reached, the plug is deployed from the handle device, thereby compressing the collet and sealing the lumen. The guide wire and handle device are removed, leaving the plug to seal the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a bioabsorbable, threaded plug carried by a delivery device. A guide wire is receivable through lumens in the plug and delivery device that includes wings on a bioabsorbable distal portion. With the wings collapsed, the guide wire is advanced through the passage into a blood vessel, the wings expanding once located within the vessel, and the guide wire is withdrawn until the wings contact the vessel wall. The plug is threaded into the passage over the guide wire until the plug is disposed adjacent the wings. The distal portion of the guide wire is secured to the plug, e.g., by compressing a collet within the plug lumen that seals the lumen, and is severed from a proximal portion thereof. Thus, the plug and distal portion are deployed with the plug sealing the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a bioabsorbable, threaded plug carried by a delivery device. A guide wire is receivable through lumens in the plug and delivery device that includes wings on a bioabsorbable distal portion. With the wings collapsed, the guide wire is advanced through the passage into a blood vessel, the wings expanding once located within the vessel, and the guide wire is withdrawn until the wings contact the vessel wall. The plug is threaded into the passage over the guide wire until the plug is disposed adjacent the wings. The distal portion of the guide wire is secured to the plug, e.g., by compressing a collet within the plug lumen that seals the lumen, and is severed from a proximal portion thereof. Thus, the plug and distal portion are deployed with the plug sealing the passage.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and methods for use in sealing a vascular puncture site and to apparatus and methods for properly locating and deploying a sealing device. The locating apparatus includes a lumen which extends from an opening in the distal region of the apparatus but located proximally of the sealing device, which lumen extends to another opening in the proximal region of the device. When the distal opening is in communication with blood in a blood vessel, blood flow through the lumen and out of the proximal opening signifies such location to the user. When the sealing device is withdrawn such that the sealing device is deployed such that it blocks the blood flow into the distal port, the user will know the location of the sealing device. In a preferred embodiment, the sealing device is then withdrawn proximally a predetermined distance to assure that no part of the sealing device extends into the blood vessel lumen. The sealing device is then detached from the delivery device.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a threaded plug detachably carried on a distal end of a delivery device. A guide wire element is receivable through the lumens extending through the plug and delivery device that includes expandable wings adjacent its distal end, and markers adjacent its proximal end. During use, the guide wire element is advanced through a passage through tissue into a blood vessel. The wings on the distal end are expanded within the vessel, and the guide wire element withdrawn until the wings contact a wall of the vessel. The plug is threaded into the passage over the guide wire element until the markers appear from the delivery device, and released from the delivery device, thereby deploying the plug member adjacent the vessel to seal the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a plug including external threads, a lumen extending between its proximal and distal ends, and an annular collet slidably disposed within the lumen. The plug is carried on a distal end of a handle device that includes an inner member with a distal end that is slidable axially within the lumen of the body for moving the collet into a reduced cross-sectional region of the lumen, thereby compressing the collet to seal the lumen, and for deploying the plug from the handle device. During use, the plug is threaded into a passage through tissue over a guide wire. Once a desired location is reached, the plug is deployed from the handle device, thereby compressing the collet and sealing the lumen. The guide wire and handle device are removed, leaving the plug to seal the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a bioabsorbable, threaded plug carried by a delivery device. A guide wire is receivable through lumens in the plug and delivery device that includes wings on a bioabsorbable distal portion. With the wings collapsed, the guide wire is advanced through the passage into a blood vessel, the wings expanding once located within the vessel, and the guide wire is withdrawn until the wings contact the vessel wall. The plug is threaded into the passage over the guide wire until the plug is disposed adjacent the wings. The distal portion of the guide wire is secured to the plug, e.g., by compressing a collet within the plug lumen that seals the lumen, and is severed from a proximal portion thereof. Thus, the plug and distal portion are deployed with the plug sealing the passage.

Abstract: A lung-assist apparatus includes a tubular housing, a tubular nozzle therein, and a first valve disposed between the housing and nozzle. The housing is implanted across a bifurcation such that the nozzle extends from a first branch communicating with a healthy region of a lung towards a main passage, and terminates proximate a lateral opening in the housing that is disposed within a second branch communicating with a damaged region of the lung. During inhalation, the first valve opens to allow air flow into the first branch, and closes during exhalation to force air through the nozzle, thereby inducing a vacuum for drawing air from the damaged region. A second valve in the second branch opens during exhalation to draw air from the diseased region, and closes during inhalation to prevent air from being drawn into the damaged region.