Abstract: A system having an elongate assembly, an expandable assembly having a fixed end region and a movable end region, the expandable assembly selectively transitioning between an expanded state and an unexpanded state with movement of the movable end region towards the fixed end region, and an advancement aid extending distally from the expandable assembly.

Abstract: A vessel closure device delivery system including a delivery device that couples to a vessel closure clip for delivering the clip onto a blood vessel and a retractable vessel locator is removeably attached to the delivery device, the distal end of the vessel locator being adapted to transition from a collapsed state suitable for insertion into a vessel and an expanded state that lodges against a wall of the vessel from inside the vessel.

Abstract: A method that includes locating an opening in tissue by advancing a member through the opening in tissue and following locating the opening, deploying a medical device to aid with sealing the opening. The medical device includes a plurality of strut members forming a plurality of generally diamond-shaped openings, the plurality of strut member being configured to form an annular shaped structure with the generally diamond-shaped openings extending generally longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. The medical device further includes a plurality of tissue engaging portions associated with the plurality of struts, each tissue engaging portion being disposed between adjacently positioned generally diamond-shaped openings.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a plurality of strut members forming a plurality of generally diamond-shaped openings, the plurality of strut member being configured to form an annular shaped structure with the generally diamond-shaped openings extending generally longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. A plurality of tissue engaging portions are associated with the plurality of struts, with each tissue engaging portion extending towards the longitudinal axis in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen or body tissue can include positioning a splittable carrier tube adjacent to the opening, the carrier tube having a splittable distal end with an outer surface retaining a closure element in a substantially tubular configuration or having an asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile. The method including splitting a distal end of the carrier tube with a splitter and deploying the closure element from the carrier flaps of the carrier tube and over the splitter to allow the closure element to engage at least a portion of the wall of the body lumen or the body tissue and substantially close the opening.

Abstract: Apparatus are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an integrated vascular device having a sheath with a closure component and puncture sealant. The closure component is disposed on and advanceable over the exterior of the sheath and may comprise any of a variety of apparatus suited for closing a vascular puncture. Once the closure component has been actuated to close the puncture, sealant is introduced to seal the puncture. The sheath and closure component are then removed from the patient.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for locating a surface of a body lumen is disclosed. The apparatus includes a locator assembly that has a distal end region configured to extend into an opening of the body lumen and to selectably engage at least a portion of the body lumen adjacent to the opening. The distal end region includes at least one surface engaging element that is configured to engage the surface of the body lumen. The apparatus includes a measuring device that is in electrical communication with the surface engaging element. The measuring device is configured to determine changes in measurable characteristics of the surface engaging element. Methods and apparatus for locating a surface of a body lumen are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hemostasis assembly having a selectively expandable hemostasis member can be used with a medical device and in a method for delivering a closure element through tissue and into an opening formed in, or adjacent to, a wall of a blood vessel or other body lumen of any size while maintaining or improving hemostasis. The medical device and method of use utilizes such an expandable hemostasis member to maintain or improve hemostasis throughout a medical procedure for closing and/or sealing openings through tissues and/or blood vessels.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a wall of a body lumen to deploy a closure element. The apparatus comprises a resettable triggering system which may be slideably moved within a housing to advance a carrier assembly and/or locating assembly, and which deploys the closure element. Upon deployment of a closure element, the carrier assembly may be positioned in a distal position and locked in place within a housing. The lock may be effected by a flexible snap fit interlocking feature which is selectively releasable. Release of the locking feature may be performed by externally insertable tools which engage the flexible snap fit and release the interlocking features. The triggering system may also include a catch which is released upon deployment of a closure element. The catch can be reset to allow the triggering system to be re-engaged into a pre-deployment condition and position.

Abstract: A medical device that includes a plurality of strut members forming a plurality of generally diamond-shaped openings, the plurality of strut member being configured to form an annular shaped structure with the generally diamond-shaped openings extending generally longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. A plurality of tissue engaging portions are associated with the plurality of struts, with each tissue engaging portion extending towards the longitudinal axis in a deployed configuration.

Abstract: A method that includes locating an opening in tissue by advancing a member through the opening in tissue and following locating the opening, deploying a medical device to aid with sealing the opening. The medical device includes a plurality of strut members forming a plurality of generally diamond-shaped openings, the plurality of strut member being configured to form an annular shaped structure with the generally diamond-shaped openings extending generally longitudinally relative to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. The medical device further includes a plurality of tissue engaging portions associated with the plurality of struts, each tissue engaging portion being disposed between adjacently positioned generally diamond-shaped openings.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering and deploying a closure element to an opening formed in a body lumen, including a delivery assembly positionable through the tissue and into the opening. The delivery assembly includes a distal locator portion and a carrier assembly oriented proximal to the distal locator portion. The distal locator portion is configured to selectably engage the body lumen adjacent to the opening, and the carrier assembly is configured to carry and support the closure element in a substantially tubular configuration. The carrier assembly is further configured to urge the closure element toward an expanded cross-sectional dimension for deployment thereof, such that the closure element is oriented to engage the tissue when deployed and, when released, to return to the natural, substantially planar configuration and the natural cross-section dimension wherein the engaged tissue is drawn substantially closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen is provided. The apparatus includes an elongate member having a proximal end a distal end and a lumen extending from the distal end toward the proximal end defining a longitudinal axis. A plug member is disposed on the distal end and extends distally from the elongate member in a pre-deployed and deployed configuration. The plug member includes a distal port therein in communication with the lumen and has a cross-sectional diameter at a plug proximal end and a plug distal end greater than a cross-sectional diameter of the distal end of the elongate member in the pre-deployed configuration. The apparatus also includes a member extendable distally from the distal port, the member including a proximal end and a distal end.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use in sealing a vascular puncture site. The invention comprises an introducer sheath with an integrated closure component. The closure component includes a fastener and an advanceable, deformable clip having a delivery configuration in which opposing sides do not contact one another, and a deployed configuration, in which the fastener causes opposing sides of the deformable clip to close towards one another. The clip is advanced along the sheath until it pierces opposing sides of a vessel wall at a puncture site. The clip is then deformed with the fastener to draw opposing sides of the puncture together, and the sheath is withdrawn to seal the wound. The clip and fastener preferably are bioabsorbable.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening in a wall of a body lumen using a clip can include advancing a distal end of an elongate member within the body lumen, the elongate member having a distal portion that assists in presenting the wall for receiving a clip having a plurality of tissue engaging portions having tips that point generally toward a central axis of the clip. The clip can be advanced relative to the elongate member and the wall of the body lumen until the plurality of tissue engaging portions penetrate the wall of the body lumen. Once the clip penetrates the wall, the elongate member can be withdrawn from the body lumen, leaving the clip to substantially close the opening in the wall of the body lumen.

Abstract: A method for closing an opening formed in a wall of a body lumen or body tissue can include positioning a splittable carrier tube adjacent to the opening, the carrier tube having a splittable distal end with an outer surface retaining a closure element in a substantially tubular configuration or having an asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile. The method including splitting a distal end of the carrier tube with a splitter and deploying the closure element from the carrier flaps of the carrier tube and over the splitter to allow the closure element to engage at least a portion of the wall of the body lumen or the body tissue and substantially close the opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a tubular member, a plug, and a locator member. The plug is disposed on a distal end of the tubular member and includes an external thread. The locator member is inserted into a lumen of the tubular member until a distal portion is disposed beyond the plug. The distal portion includes a helically wound wire and a tether coupled to the wire that is movable for causing the wire to buckle. To seal a passage communicating with a blood vessel, the distal portion of the locator member is inserted into the passage, and the plug is threaded into the passage until the distal portion extends into the vessel. The tether is pulled to buckle the wire, and the plug is unthreaded until the buckled wire contacts a wall of the vessel, whereupon the plug is released to seal the passage.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a passage through tissue includes a tubular member, a plug, and a locator member. The plug is disposed on a distal end of the tubular member and includes an external thread. The locator member is inserted into a lumen of the tubular member until a distal portion is disposed beyond the plug. The distal portion includes a helically wound wire and a tether coupled to the wire that is movable for causing the wire to buckle. To seal a passage communicating with a blood vessel, the distal portion of the locator member is inserted into the passage, and the plug is threaded into the passage until the distal portion extends into the vessel. The tether is pulled to buckle the wire, and the plug is unthreaded until the buckled wire contacts a wall of the vessel, whereupon the plug is released to seal the passage.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a clip manufactured according to a method which can be used to engage body tissue for the purpose of closing wounds. Such clips are generally annular in shape and have radially inwardly extending tines. The present disclosure first forms a precursor which, in one embodiment, has the tines extending radially outwardly from the annular body and then forms the clip by inverting the precursor such that the tines extend radially inwardly. In an alternate embodiment, the precursor is formed with an over-sized lateral dimension and then compressed inwardly to bring the tines closer together and to reduce the lateral dimension of the precursor. Such clips may be manufactured from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium, in which case the inverted or compressed precursor must be heated and quenched to heat set the clip in its final shape.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a clip includes an introducer sheath including an outer surface extending between its proximal and distal ends. A clip is carried on the outer surface, e.g., on a carrier assembly that is slidable along the outer surface from the proximal end towards the distal end. A skin overlies the outer surface of the sheath and the carrier assembly that is separable from the outer surface as the carrier assembly is advanced from the proximal end towards the distal end of the sheath. During use, the distal end of the sheath is inserted into an opening through tissue, e.g., into a puncture communicating with a blood vessel. The carrier assembly is advanced towards the distal end of the sheath, causing the skin to separate from the outer surface of the elongate member, and the clip is deployed from the carrier to seal the opening.