Access closure configuration

A device for forming an expandable tract across a wall of a blood vessel, comprising:

• an anchor assembly comprising a proximal portion having a handle, a flexible distal portion, and a pre-bent midportion intercoupled between the proximal and distal portions, the pre-bent midportion comprising a saddle-shaped needle receiving structure configured to receive and support a needle that may be inserted through a portion of the proximal portion;
• wherein at least a distal tip of the flexible distal portion is configured to be placed within a lumen of the blood vessel through a first passage created across the wall with a sharpened member at a first angle relative to a lumen longitudinal axis defined by the lumen of the blood vessel in the region adjacent the first passage;
• and wherein upon applying a force to the anchor assembly to position an adjacent portion of the blood vessel wall into a desired contact configuration relative to the anchor assembly, the needle is operatively coupled to the anchor assembly such that it may be advanced across the wall of the blood vessel and into contact with the saddle-shaped needle receiving structure, thereby creating an expandable tract between overlapping tissue portions of the vessel wall.