Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, torque required to tamp the sealing plug is automatically sensed and gear ratios of an automatic tamping device are automatically changed in response to sensed changes in torque. A planetary transmission may be used to automatically change gear ratios in response to the changes in torque.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, torque required to tamp the sealing plug is automatically sensed and gear ratios of an automatic tamping device are automatically changed in response to sensed changes in torque. A planetary transmission may be used to automatically change gear ratios in response to the changes in torque.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide a magazine fed tamping system for automatic tamping and/or cinching of the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic tamping and/or cinching is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping and/or cinching force.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, torque required to tamp the sealing plug is automatically sensed and gear ratios of an automatic tamping device are automatically changed in response to sensed changes in torque. A planetary transmission may be used to automatically change gear ratios in response to the changes in torque.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide for a tamping device that is coilable in some configurations and stiff and straight in other configurations. The coilable tamping device may also automatically tamp the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic uncoiling and tamping is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for sealing a subcutaneous tissue puncture. The method and apparatus increases the reliability of device function by creating a multi-level anchor nest in a carrier tube of a tissue puncture closure device. The multi-level nest allows an insertion sheath or other deployment member to slide between the carrier tube and the anchor to rotate and deploy the anchor within an artery or other lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, torque required to tamp the sealing plug is automatically sensed and gear ratios of an automatic tamping device are automatically changed in response to sensed changes in torque. A planetary transmission may be used to automatically change gear ratios in response to the changes in torque.

Abstract: The present invention involves an automatic suture locking device useable with vascular closure device. The suture locking device includes a housing and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism has locked and unlocked positions. In the locked position, a suture pathway through the mechanism is sufficiently tortuous to prevent free suture movement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, torque required to tamp the sealing plug is automatically sensed and gear ratios of an automatic tamping device are automatically changed in response to sensed changes in torque. A planetary transmission may be used to automatically change gear ratios in response to the changes in torque.

Abstract: A vascular closure device including a sheath with one or more orifices therein to detect blood flow, indicating that the sheath has entered an artery and the relative position of the sheath within the artery. Thus, the sheath can be moved and positioned relative to the artery without having to completely extract the sheath from the artery after initial penetration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide for a tamping device that is coilable in some configurations and stiff and straight in other configurations. The coilable tamping device may also automatically tamp the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic uncoiling and tamping is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping force.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide a magazine fed tamping system for automatic tamping and/or cinching of the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic tamping and/or cinching is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping and/or cinching force.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide for a tamping device that is coilable in some configurations and stiff and straight in other configurations. The coilable tamping device may also automatically tamp the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic uncoiling and tamping is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping force.

Abstract: A hydraulically assisted actuator in a handle connects with a catheter having a deflectable distal ablation tip. The hydraulic actuator translates small mechanical movement by a clinician into large travel movements of connected steering cables and increased tension in the ablation tip for greater deflection. The hydraulic system further dampens the return of the ablation tip from a deflected position to an equilibrium position. The hydraulic actuation system is also incorporated into a set of foot pedals.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide a magazine fed tamping system for automatic tamping and/or cinching of the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic tamping and/or cinching is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping and/or cinching force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vascular insertion sheath with collapsible penetration locators. The collapsible penetration locators provide the insertion sheath with a small outer diameter and the added functionality of precise location indicator. The collapsible penetration locators comprise thin membranes that collapse upon insertion of a sealing device or vascular instrument into the insertion sheath. The insertion sheath includes a reinforced wall according to some embodiments, with a coiled or braided filament for reinforcement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for sealing a subcutaneous tissue puncture. The method and apparatus increases the reliability of device function by creating a multi-level anchor nest in a carrier tube of a tissue puncture closure device. The multi-level nest allows an insertion sheath or other deployment member to slide between the carrier tube and the anchor to rotate and deploy the anchor within an artery or other lumen.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug are disclosed. The methods and apparatus provide for automatic tamping of the sealing plug. In addition, a scroll gearset changes gear ratio as it transduces a retraction force into a sealing plug tamping force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for sealing a subcutaneous tissue puncture. The method and apparatus increases the reliability of device function by creating a multi-level anchor nest in a carrier tube of a tissue puncture closure device. The multi-level nest allows an insertion sheath or other deployment member to slide between the carrier tube and the anchor to rotate and deploy the anchor within an artery or other lumen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a puncture or incision formed percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The method and apparatus provide for a tamping device that is coilable in some configurations and stiff and straight in other configurations. The coilable tamping device may also automatically tamp the sealing plug when the apparatus is withdrawn from the puncture site. The automatic uncoiling and tamping is facilitated by transducing a motive force generated by the withdrawal of the apparatus into a tamping force.