# US 2014/0194925 A1 · Method and system for closing a vascular hole > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194925 A1 - Document ID: US20140194925A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/116,309 - Filed: 2012-05-16 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2011-05-18 - Assignees: St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC - Applicants: St. Jude Medical Puerto Rico LLC - Inventors: JyueBoon Lim; Catherine A. Pipenhagen; Brian J. Edquist; Thomas A. Savard; Rachael A. Crabb - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194925A1 ## 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 2017/00592: {Elastic or resilient implements} - A61B 2017/00601: {Implements entirely comprised between the two sides of the opening} - A61B 2017/00623: {Introducing or retrieving devices therefor} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Various embodiments of methods for closing vascular holes and associated vascular closure devices are described herein. The methods, generally speaking, use hemostatic devices intended to stop bleeding by closing vascular access puncture sites following percutaneous diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. The methods may include positioning a sealing plug in the vascular hole. In one embodiment, the sealing plug may extend through the vascular hole into the vessel. The sealing plug may expand and thereby create a lip inside the vessel that holds the sealing plug in place. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of closing a vascular hole comprising: inserting a portion of a vascular closure device into a tissue tract, the vascular closure device including a sealing plug and a delivery system; and deploying the sealing plug with the delivery system so that at least a portion of the sealing plug is positioned in the vascular hole; wherein the sealing plug expands to peripheral edges defining the vascular hole to hold the sealing plug in position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising withdrawing the delivery system from the tissue tract with at least a portion of the sealing plug maintained in the vascular hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 comprising deploying the sealing plug so that a distal portion of the sealing plug extends through the vascular hole. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the sealing plug is nonthrombogenic. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the sealing plug is coated with a nonthrombogenic agent or an antithrombotic agent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the sealing plug expands when exposed to bodily fluids. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the sealing plug is compressed in the delivery system prior to deploying the sealing plug. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the sealing plug is biodegradable. ### Claim 9 A method of closing a vascular hole comprising: inserting at least a portion of a vascular closure device into a tissue tract, the vascular closure device including a sealing plug and a delivery system; and deploying the sealing plug with the delivery system so that a distal portion of the sealing plug extends through the vascular hole. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein a distal portion of the sealing plug is shaped to minimize turbulent fluid flow in a vessel that defines the vascular hole. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the sealing plug expands to peripheral edges defining the vascular hole to hold the sealing plug in position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14 wherein the distal portion of the sealing plug expands radially outward beyond the peripheral edges to create a lip that engages the tissue tract to hold the sealing plug in position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of the sealing plug is nonthrombogenic or antithrombotic. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of the sealing plug is coated with a nonthrombogenic agent or an antithrombotic agent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the sealing plug expands when exposed to bodily fluids. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the sealing plug is compressed in the delivery system prior to deploying the sealing member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein the sealing plug is biodegradable. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15 wherein the sealing plug comprises a temperature activated material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein the sealing plug comprises a material that absorbs bodily fluids. ### Claim 20 A vascular closure device comprising: a delivery system; and a sealing plug carried by the delivery system, the sealing plug being configured to be deployed to close a vascular hole; wherein the delivery system is configured to deploy the sealing plug so that at least a portion of the sealing plug is positioned in the vascular hole. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The vascular closure device of claim 20 wherein the delivery system includes a carrier tube. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The vascular closure device of claim 21, wherein the sealing plug is compressed within the carrier tube prior to being deployed. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The vascular closure device of claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the sealing plug extends through the vascular hole.