Method and apparatus for hemostasis following arterial catheterization

A method for hemostasis of an artery having a puncture after arterial catheterization, said catheterization using an introducer sheath, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting into an artery a catheter introducer having a forward end prior to arterial catheterization;
• following arterial catheterization, introducing a hemostasis catheter into the artery via the catheter introducer, said hemostasis catheter including an inflatable anchor at a forward end thereof and a balloon adjacent said forward end thereof and spaced from said inflatable anchor;
• inflating the inflatable anchor inside the artery;
• retraction of the hemostasis catheter, until the inflatable anchor engages the forward end of said catheter introducer and further engages an inner wall surface of a wall of the artery, whereby the anchor blocks blood flow from the artery and the balloon adjacent the forward end of the hemostasis catheter lies outside an outer surface of the wall of the artery;
• removing the catheter introducer at least from the vicinity of the artery;
• partially inflating the balloon adjacent the forward end of the hemostasis catheter sufficiently to prevent blood flow from the artery through the artery wall;
• deflating of the inflatable anchor;
• further inflating the balloon adjacent the forward end of the hemostasis catheter, sufficiently to cause the forward end of the hemostasis catheter to be withdrawn completely from the wall of the artery;
• and
• following hemostasis, deflating the balloon adjacent the forward end of the hemostasis catheter and removal of the hemostasis catheter from the patient.

Apparatus for hemostasis of an artery having a puncture after arterial catheterization, the apparatus comprising:

• an hemostasis catheter including an inflatable anchor at a forward end thereof and a balloon adjacent said forward end thereof and spaced from said inflatable anchor;
• and
• a selectable inflator for inflating the inflatable anchor inside the artery;
• wherein the hemostasis catheter is constructed such that inflation of the balloon adjacent the forward end of the hemostasis catheter in engagement with an outer wall surface of the artery causes the forward end of the hemostasis catheter to be withdrawn completely from the wall of the artery and spaced therefrom.