Abstract: A vessel access and closure device places a running suture in the wall of a blood vessel using a rotating helical suture needle that carries the suture along a helical path passing through the vessel wall, then reverses rotation to release a suture anchor attached to the distal end of the suture. A loose helical coil of suture is left behind as the helical suture needle withdraws. The device is withdrawn and replaced with a vessel dilator and an introducer sheath that opens up a larger access opening into the blood vessel and creates a pathway that passes though the helical coil of suture for introducing an interventional device into the blood vessel. After the interventional procedure is completed, the interventional device and the introducer sheath are withdrawn and the running suture is tightened and secured with a suture lock to close the access opening into the vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing transapical access to a heart chamber for performing an intra cardiac procedure are described. The systems include a helical needle driver and a dilator. The helical needle driver rotates and translates a shuttle member which advances one or more helical needles to place a helical suture within the myocardium. After removing the needles, the dilator is advanced through the pre-placed helical suture, dilating both a passage and the circumscribing suture. After performing procedure, the pre-placed suture may be closed by proximally retracting an external end of the suture.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing transapical access to a heart chamber for performing an intra cardiac procedure are described. The apparatus include a helical needle driver, a dilator, a straight access needle, and optionally a guidewire. After entering the heart chamber with the straight access needle, the helical needle driver is used to place a helical suture within the myocardium. After removing the needle driver, the dilator is advanced through the pre-placed helical suture, dilating both a passage and the circumscribing suture. After performing procedure, the pre-placed suture may be closed by proximally retracting an external end of the suture.

Abstract: A vessel access and closure device places a running suture in the wall of a blood vessel using a rotating helical suture needle that carries the suture along a helical path passing through the vessel wall, then reverses rotation to release a suture anchor attached to the distal end of the suture. A loose helical coil of suture is left behind as the helical suture needle withdraws. The device is withdrawn and replaced with a vessel dilator and an introducer sheath that opens up a larger access opening into the blood vessel and creates a pathway that passes though the helical coil of suture for introducing an interventional device into the blood vessel. After the interventional procedure is completed, the interventional device and the introducer sheath are withdrawn and the running suture is tightened and secured with a suture lock to close the access opening into the vessel.

Abstract: A vessel access and closure device places a running suture in the wall of a blood vessel using a rotating helical suture needle that carries the suture along a helical path passing through the vessel wall, then reverses rotation to release a suture anchor attached to the distal end of the suture. A loose helical coil of suture is left behind as the helical suture needle withdraws. The device is withdrawn and replaced with a vessel dilator and an introducer sheath that opens up a larger access opening into the blood vessel and creates a pathway that passes though the helical coil of suture for introducing an interventional device into the blood vessel. After the interventional procedure is completed, the interventional device and the introducer sheath are withdrawn and the running suture is tightened and secured with a suture lock to close the access opening into the vessel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing transapical access to a heart chamber for performing an intra cardiac procedure are described. The apparatus include a helical needle driver, a dilator, a straight access needle, and optionally a guidewire. After entering the heart chamber with the straight access needle, the helical needle driver is used to place a helical suture within the myocardium. After removing the needle driver, the dilator is advanced through the pre-placed helical suture, dilating both a passage and the circumscribing suture. After performing procedure, the pre-placed suture may be closed by proximally retracting an external end of the suture.

Abstract: Suture constructs have a distal suture anchor and optionally a proximal suture anchor for mobilizing the sutures within tissue. The suture may be implanted using conventional straight, curved, or helical needles. Coupling elements may be provided in the suture constructs in order to indicate the amount of pulling force being applied to the suture when it is being manually manipulated.