Abstract: A suture passing apparatus including an elongated body having opposite ends. A head is located on one end with a retainer assembly located at the other end. A recess extends from the aperture along the elongated body. A loop of a flexible member is placed in the aperture and over a projection extending into the aperture. The flexible member is placed in the recess extending from the aperture along the elongated body.

Abstract: A suture passing apparatus including an elongated body having opposite ends. A head is located on one end with a retainer assembly located at the other end. A recess extends from the aperture along the elongated body. A loop of a flexible member is placed in the aperture and over a projection extending into the aperture. The flexible member is placed in the recess extending from the aperture along the elongated body.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate hollow shaft and an elongate driver slidably disposed therein. The elongate hollow shaft includes a pair of a pair of opposing actuation tips disposed at a distal end thereof defining a staple chamber there between. An anvil extends into the staple chamber from one of the actuation tips. The closure device includes a release mechanism for spreading apart the pair of opposing actuation tips to provide a gap associated with the anvil, the gap dimensioned such that the staple may pass there through. A method of using the closure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate tube having a distal opening, a staple disposed within the tube, and a frangible cap mounted across the distal opening to guard the staple tips against contact with the tissue track. The frangible cap is pierced, fractured or torn when the staple is advanced through the distal opening. A portion of the torn frangible cap may be implanted with the staple as a pledget. The staple may be carried within the elongate tube by a stapler comprising an elongate hollow shaft and an elongate driver slidably disposed therein. A pair of opposing actuation tips is disposed at a distal end of the hollow shaft to define an open-sided staple chamber there between. An anvil is fixedly disposed within the staple chamber, which holds at least a proximal portion of the staple.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate tube having a distal opening. The elongate tube has least two opposing longitudinal slots and a pair of opposing corners defined where each slot meets the distal opening. A staple is disposed within the tube, the staple having at least two opposing legs aligned with the at least two slots. Each slot is pinched together adjacent the distal opening such that the opposing corners of each slot converge to cover the tip of the respective staple leg to guard the staple tips against contact with the tissue track. The corners of each slot are separable to permit the respective staple leg to pass there between.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate tube having a distal opening. The elongate tube has least two opposing longitudinal slots and a pair of opposing corners defined where each slot meets the distal opening. A staple is disposed within the tube, the staple having at least two opposing legs aligned with the at least two slots. Each slot is pinched together adjacent the distal opening such that the opposing corners of each slot converge to cover the tip of the respective staple leg to guard the staple tips against contact with the tissue track. The corners of each slot are separable to permit the respective staple leg to pass there between.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate tube having a distal opening, a staple disposed within the tube, and a frangible cap mounted across the distal opening to guard the staple tips against contact with the tissue track. The frangible cap is pierced, fractured or torn when the staple is advanced through the distal opening. A portion of the torn frangible cap may be implanted with the staple as a pledget. The staple may be carried within the elongate tube by a stapler comprising an elongate hollow shaft and an elongate driver slidably disposed therein. A pair of opposing actuation tips is disposed at a distal end of the hollow shaft to define an open-sided staple chamber there between. An anvil is fixedly disposed within the staple chamber, which holds at least a proximal portion of the staple.

Abstract: A closure device for an arteriotomy includes an elongate hollow shaft and an elongate driver slidably disposed therein. The elongate hollow shaft includes a pair of a pair of opposing actuation tips disposed at a distal end thereof defining a staple chamber there between. An anvil extends into the staple chamber from one of the actuation tips. The closure device includes a release mechanism for spreading apart the pair of opposing actuation tips to provide a gap associated with the anvil, the gap dimensioned such that the staple may pass there through. A method of using the closure device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for closing an arteriotomy includes providing a guiding system and a closure system. The guiding system is mounted over a dilator, and advanced along a guidewire through the arteriotomy and into the blood vessel lumen. The guiding system includes two stabilization wire guides. A retention foot is disposed at a distal portion of each stabilization wire guide, the foot being deployable into contact against an inner surface of the vessel wall. The guidewire and dilator are withdrawn from the patient, leaving the stabilization wire guides in place. The closure system carries a stapler and is advanced along the stabilization wire guides to an extraluminal position. The stapler is then activated to close the arteriotomy. The retention feet are undeployed and the guiding and closure systems are withdrawn from the body, leaving a staple to hold the arteriotomy closed.