# US 10,245,012 B2 · Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,012 B2 - Document ID: US10245012B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/229,510 - Filed: 2014-03-28 - Published: 2014-07-31 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-23 - Assignees: Access Closure, Inc. - Applicants: AccessClosure, Inc. - Inventors: Ronald R. Hundertmark; Andy H. Uchida; Moshe Zilversmit; David L. Fiscella; Brandon Fell; Vincent Ku - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245012B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/0057: {Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect (sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009)} - A61B 2017/00557: {inflatable (A61B2017/22051 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00623: {Introducing or retrieving devices therefor} - A61B 2017/0065: {the implement being an adhesive} - A61B 2017/00654: {entirely comprised between the two sides of the opening} - A61B 2017/00672: {Locating means therefor, e.g. bleed back lumen} - A61B 2017/22067: {Blocking; Occlusion (A61B2017/22054 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/22069: {Immobilising; Stabilising} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An apparatus for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall including a positioning assembly, a sheath releasably engaged with the positioning assembly, and a support member axially advanceable through the sheath. The positioning assembly includes a positioning element positioned at a distal portion of the positioning assembly and a sealant disposed at a distal portion of the positioning assembly. The sheath guides the sealant and positioning assembly to the puncture in the vessel wall. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for sealing a puncture through a vessel wall, the apparatus comprising: a positioning assembly including an expandable member disposed at a distal portion of the positioning assembly, the expandable member configured to move between an unexpanded state and an expanded state; a support member, the positioning assembly configured to move axially within the support member; a tubular member through which the support member is axially advanceable; and a handle comprising an outer housing portion and a depressible button, wherein the button is provided in a first position in which the button is operatively coupled to the tubular member and operatively uncoupled from the support member, the button being moveable relative to the outer housing portion from the first position to a second position to retract the tubular member and advance the support member; wherein the button has a partially depressed position in which the button is operatively coupled to the support member, the tubular member is positioned proximally compared to its position when the button is in the first position, a sealant disposed at the distal portion of the positioning assembly is at least partially exposed, and the support member is in substantially the same position as it is when the button is in the first position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first rack operatively coupled to the tubular member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second rack operatively coupled to the support member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first rack has a plurality of teeth which are operatively coupled to at least one pinion when the button is in the first position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second rack has a plurality of teeth which are operatively uncoupled from the at least one pinion when the button is in the first position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the teeth of at least one of the first and second racks are discontinuous. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one pinion comprises a plurality of pinions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the button is operatively uncoupled from the second rack in the first position to create a delay from the time the tubular member is retracted, to the time the support member is advanced. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a locking feature configured to engage the second rack, wherein the locking feature is configured to prevent proximal movement of the support member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is configured to move from a proximal position to a distal position, and wherein the positioning assembly is configured to move proximally relative to the support member when the support member is in the distal position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising an expandable member retraction actuator configured to retract the expandable member through at least a portion of the support member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is configured to compress the sealant when the support member is moved distally. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubular member is operatively coupled to the button by a first rack and at least one pinion when the button is in the first position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the support member is operatively coupled to the button with a second rack and the at least one pinion when the button is in the partially depressed position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the shape of at least one of the first rack, the second rack, and pinion varies such that a delay is created from the time the tubular member is retracted, to the time the support member is advanced. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the support member is configured to move from a proximal position to a distal position, and wherein the positioning assembly is configured to move proximally relative to the support member when the support member is in the distal position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising an expandable member retraction actuator configured to retract the expandable member through at least a portion of the support member. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first rack is operatively coupled to the button when the button is in the first position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the second rack is operatively coupled to the button when the button is in the partially depressed position.