Abstract: A device for automatically providing needles to a sealing apparatus for sealing a puncture in an anatomical structure, the sealing apparatus including a needle insertion lumen and a needle pusher channel having a needle pusher disposed therein. The device may include a housing coupled to the sealing apparatus and a cartridge disposed in the housing. The cartridge has a first and a second needle slot extending from a distal end of the cartridge to a proximal end of the cartridge. The first and second needle slots have first and second needles disposed, e.g., pre-loaded, therein, respectively. The cartridge is moveable, such as by a biasing element, relative to the housing between a first position in which the first needle slot is aligned with the needle insertion lumen and the needle pushing channel, and a second position in which the second needle slot is aligned with the needle insertion lumen and the needle pushing channel.

Abstract: A device for sealing a tissue puncture including proximal and distal portions offset by a connecting member so that a needle may exit a lumen in the proximal portion through a needle insertion opening across a tissue receiving gap and enter through a needle receiving opening into a lumen in the distal portion. The distal lumen also has an opening for a guide wire. A method for sealing a tissue puncture by inserting a device such as that described above into the puncture via a guide wire, which is removed, so that the tissue is within the tissue receiving gap, and inserting a first suture needle distally from the proximal lumen, through the tissue, and into the distal lumen. The device is then rotated and a second suture needle similarly penetrates the tissue at a second location, and the device is withdrawn and the suture is tightened.

Abstract: A device for sealing a puncture in an anatomical structure includes a proximal portion having a first needle lumen extending to a first needle opening, a distal portion including a second needle opening facing the first needle opening across a tissue receiving gap and opening into a second needle lumen and a connecting portion coupled between the proximal and distal portions and offset from the proximal and distal portions whereby, when the connecting portion is received within a puncture in an anatomical structure, a portion of the anatomical structure received within the tissue receiving gap is located on one side of a plane including a central axis of the puncture.

Abstract: A method for sealing a tissue puncture that includes inserting into the puncture a device with needle exit and entry openings separated by a tissue receiving gap, positioning the device so that the tissue is located in the tissue receiving gap distally from the needle exit opening and proximally from the needle entry opening and inserting a first needle coupled to a first portion of suture distally through the device through the tissue and into the needle entry lumen. The device is then rotated to a second portion of tissue and a second needle is inserted distally through the device through the second portion of tissue and into the needle entry lumen. The device is withdrawn from the patient and the suture is tightened to seal the puncture.

Abstract: A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the positioning of the tissue adjacent to the opening within a gap between proximal and distal parts of a tube formed by a curved central part. A needle coupled to a suture is pushed from a needle retention channel formed within the proximal part through the tissue received in the gap and into a needle receiving channel formed within the distal part. The device may be moved to a second position where a new region of tissue is located in the gap between the proximal and distal parts of the tube. The needle may be pushed or drawn out of the receiving channel in the distal part, through the tissue and into the receiving channel in the proximal part to thereby loop the suture through the anatomical structure. The procedure may be repeated to form multiple suture loops in the structure and then the ends of the suture may be knotted.

Abstract: A knot pusher according to the present invention includes a longitudinal member having a proximal end and a distal end, the longitudinal member having a suture slit extending along a portion of the longitudinal member from the distal end. In addition, the knot pusher includes a latch coupled to the distal end of the longitudinal member. The latch is movable between an extended position and a locking position, so that the latch obstructs a portion of the suture slit when in the locking position. A suture having a knot may be inserted within the latch and through the suture slit, and the latch may then be moved to the locking position. With the suture locked in the suture slit, an operator may run the knot down the length of suture to cinch the knot.

Abstract: A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the positioning of the tissue adjacent to the opening within a gap between proximal and distal parts of a tube formed by a curved central part. A needle coupled to a suture is pushed from a needle retention channel formed within the proximal part through the tissue received in the gap and into a needle receiving channel formed within the distal part. The device may be moved to a second position where a new region of tissue is located in the gap between the proximal and distal parts of the tube. The needle may be pushed or drawn out of the receiving channel in the distal part, through the tissue and into the receiving channel in the proximal part to thereby loop the suture through the anatomical structure. The procedure may be repeated to form multiple suture loops in the structure and then the ends of the suture may be knotted.

Abstract: A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the introduction of a length of suture around the opening using a stitching device or known suturing techniques. The stitching device may be an elongated member having needle channels therethrough. After the stitching device is partially inserted in the anatomical structure, needles connected by a length of suture are pulled through the anatomical structure at opposite sides of the opening. The sealing device may be an elongated member with an adhesive channel and either a suture channel or a loop. After the suture has been separated from the stitching device, the ends of the suture are passed through the suture channel or loop. The suture is then pulled through the suture channel or loop to close the opening. After the opening has been closed, adhesive is passed through the adhesive channel and applied to the opening to seal the opening.

Abstract: A device for sealing a puncture in a tissue within a living body, comprises a flexible tube including an opening, wherein the flexible tube extends from a proximal end which, when the device is in an operative position, is located outside the living body, to a distal end which, in the operative position, is located within the living body on a distal side of the puncture in combination with an inner member received within the flexible tube so that the inner member may move proximally and distally with respect to the flexible tube. A first end of a flexible anchor member is coupled to the inner member so that, when the inner member is moved with respect to the outer member, a second end of the anchor member extends through the opening outside the flexible tube. An adhesive may be applied via an adhesive lumen to seal the puncture.

Abstract: A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body includes an elongated member that is partially inserted into an anatomical structure such as a blood vessel. The inserted portion holds a plurality of needles, which are connected to a suture that travels through and out of the device. When the suture is pulled and drawn through the device, the needles are pulled through the vessel wall on opposite sides of the opening. The needles may alternatively be attached to a platform that engages the guide wire, the guide wire being utilized to deploy the needles. Once the needles are drawn fully through the vessel wall, the suture can be separated from the needles and knotted to seal the opening. Alternatively, the suture may be crimped using a crimping device. The device may also include a body designed to receive the needles.

Abstract: A method and device for efficiently and effectively stapling an opening in an anatomical structure such as veins, arteries, organs, and other body members within a living body is disclosed. The opening may be from a deliberately placed incision, as from an invasive surgical procedure, or caused by other damaging events. The device includes a stapling mechanism having a main body with a handle, a trigger for activating the staples, and a central passage through which a balloon catheter may pass. The balloon catheter supports the artery and helps position the stapling mechanism properly on the artery. Alternatively, the device may have a main body that has an inflatable member attached to it and extending from it. The main body provides a passage through which a pressurized media such as saline can be supplied to the inflatable member.

Abstract: A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the positioning of the tissue adjacent to the opening within a gap between proximal and distal parts of a flexible tube formed by a curved central part. A needle coupled to a suture loop is drawn from a needle retention channel formed within the distal part through the tissue received in the gap and into a needle receiving channel formed within the proximal part. The needle may be drawn out by pulling on either the suture loop or a separate pull cord which extends through a lumen to an opening formed in the first end of the proximal part. After the device has been rotated and the procedure repeated, a second needle attached to the suture loop is drawn through the tissue in the same manner and the two ends are knotted together and tightened to seal the opening.

Abstract: A device for sealing openings in anatomical structures comprises a longitudinal member including a proximal portion having a longitudinal suture channel extending therethrough and a central portion, wherein the suture channel extends through the central portion to a suture opening formed in the central portion distal end and a distal portion coupled to the central portion distal end. A plurality of needle channels extend substantially longitudinally through the distal portion from the distal portion proximal end and, in an initial configuration, each of needle channel incldes a needle with a length of suture forming a suture loop coupled between respective pairs of needles, so that, when the suture loop is pulled in a proximal direction, the length of suture pulls each of the needles to which the length of suture is coupled from the initial position to a deployed position in which proximal ends of each of the needles coupled to the length of suture extend outside the corresponding needle channels.

Abstract: A device for sealing a hole in an anatomical structure comprises an elongated member formed with a proximal portion extending along a first axis and a distal portion extending along a second axis, wherein the second axis is different from the first axis and wherein a needle retention channel extends within the distal portion to a distal opening formed in the proximal end of the distal portion. A central portion connects the proximal and distal portions. In use, the device is guided into the hole in the anatomical wall and positioned in a first orientation so that the distal opening faces a first desired location on the inner wall. Thereafter, a first needle is withdrawn from the needle retention channel by drawing proximally a suture coupled to the first needle so that the first needle passes through the first desired location out of the body. The elongated member is then rotated within the hole to a second orientation so that the distal opening faces a second desired location on the inner wall.

Abstract: A device for sealing a puncture in a tissue within a living body, comprises a flexible tube including an opening, wherein the flexible tube extends from a proximal end which, when the device is in an operative position, is located outside the living body, to a distal end which, in the operative position, is located within the living body on a distal side of the puncture in combination with an inner member received within the flexible tube so that the inner member may move proximally and distally with respect to the flexible tube. A first end of a flexible anchor member is coupled to the inner member so that, when the inner member is moved with respect to the outer member, a second end of the anchor member extends through the opening outside the flexible tube.

Abstract: A device and a method for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure is provided. The device includes a flexible tube including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending along a common axis. The proximal portion is coupled to the distal portion by a central portion, which extends from a distal end of the proximal portion to a proximal end of the distal portion. The central portion bends away from the axis along a curve so that the distal end of the proximal portion faces the proximal end of the distal portion across a gap formed by the central portion. In use, the device is inserted through an opening in a wall of the anatomical structure so that a portion of the wall is received within the gap. A needle, that is attached to a first length of suture, is then inserted through a first needle lumen to an opening formed in the distal end of the proximal portion and crosses the gap penetrating the wall to enter a needle receiving chamber that is formed in the distal portion.

Abstract: A method and device for efficiently and effectively stapling an opening in an anatomical structure such as veins, arteries, organs, and other body members within a living body is disclosed. The opening may be from a deliberately placed incision, as from an invasive surgical procedure, or caused by other damaging events. The device includes a stapling mechanism having a main body with a handle, a trigger for activating the staples, and a central passage through which a balloon catheter may pass. The balloon catheter supports the artery and helps position the stapling mechanism properly on the artery. Alternatively, the device may have a main body that has an inflatable member attached to it and extending from it. The main body provides a passage through which a pressurized media such as saline can be supplied to the inflatable member.

Abstract: A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the positioning of the tissue adjacent to the opening within a gap between proximal and distal parts of a flexible tube formed by a curved central part. A needle coupled to a suture loop is drawn from a needle retention channel formed within the distal part through the tissue received in the gap and into a needle receiving channel formed within the proximal part. The needle may be drawn out by pulling on either the suture loop or a separate pull cord which extends through a lumen to an opening formed in the first end of the proximal part. After the device has been rotated and the procedure repeated, a second needle attached to the suture loop is drawn through the tissue in the same manner and the two ends are knotted together and tightened to seal the opening.