Closure devices and methods

A method of closing an opening in tissue, the method comprising:

• advancing a distal terminal end of a closure device through the opening to position the distal terminal end distal a wall of the tissue;
• positioning a tissue locator distal the wall of the tissue, the tissue locator being coupled to an elongate member extending toward the distal terminal end, the tissue locator comprising a tubular portion having slits;
• deploying the tissue locator against an interior surface of the wall to position the tissue to receive a needle comprising a needle tip by proximally moving the elongate member to transition a leg portion of the tubular portion disposed between the adjacent slits from extending longitudinally to a deployed state with the leg portion extending outwardly from the longitudinal axis, the tissue locator being configured to return to a predefined shape following removal of a force applied by the elongate member through proximal movement;
• and
• advancing the needle tip in relation to a needle guide spaced longitudinally from the tissue locator, the needle tip passing through at least a portion of the tissue locator, through the tissue, and into a receptacle that is configured to engage a surface of the needle tip and prevent detachment of the needle tip from the receptacle.