Apparatus and methods for sealing a vascular puncture

A system for sealing a puncture extending through tissue, comprising:

• an introducer sheath comprising a proximal end, a distal end sized for insertion through a puncture, and a lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends;
• and
• an elongate positioning member sized for insertion into the introducer sheath lumen and having a positioning element on a distal end thereof;
• and
• a tension indicator comprising a first portion substantially fixed to the positioning member proximal end, and a second portion movable from a first position and a second position relative to the first portion and biased towards the first position, and a marker that, in the second position, provides a visual indication that a desired force is being applied between the positioning member distal end and the second portion.

A tension indicator apparatus for providing temporary hemostasis within a puncture extending through tissue to a body lumen, comprising:

• an elongate member comprising a proximal end and a distal end sized for introduction into a puncture;
• a positioning element on the distal end sized for introduction into a puncture in a collapsed condition;
• and
• a tension indicator comprising a first portion substantially fixed to the elongate member proximal end, a second portion movable from a first position and a second position relative to the first portion and biased towards the first position, and a visual indicator that indicates, in the second position, that a desired force is being applied between the positioning member distal end and the second portion.

A method for sealing a puncture extending through tissue to a body lumen, comprising:

• introducing a distal end of an elongate member through the puncture until a positioning element on the distal end is disposed within the body lumen;
• deploying the positioning element within the body lumen;
• and
• retracting the elongate member until the deployed positioning element contacts a wall of the body lumen adjacent the puncture and a tension indicator on the elongate member indicates that a desired tension is being applied by the positioning element to the wall of the body lumen.