US 6,287,322 B1 · Tissue opening locator and everter and method

Abstract

An apparatus for facilitating the locating, everting, and closing of an opening in a blood vessel. The apparatus can include a closure instrument having an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends. The elongated member has a vacuum lumen extending at least a portion of the length thereof for conveying a vacuum and terminating in a vacuum port adjacent the distal end of the elongated member. The distal end of the elongated member is dimensioned to be positioned proximal a vessel opening in a blood vessel whereby vessel edge portions defining the vessel opening are at least partially drawn toward the vacuum port in response to a vacuum conveyed through the vacuum lumen. At least one surgical clip is mounted adjacent the distal end of the elongated member and is adapted to be formed to an at least partially formed condition thereof. The one clip is positioned with respect to the vacuum port so as to engage the vessel edge portions drawn toward the vacuum port when the clip is moved to the formed condition, thus at least partially closing the vessel opening. A method for locating, everting, and closing an opening in a blood vessel is also disclosed.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A method for precisely locating and providing access to a wound in a blood vessel of a patient, comprising the steps of:

inserting a guidewire having a proximal end and a distal end into the blood vessel through the wound until the distal end of the guidewire is within the blood vessel and the proximal end remains outside the patient;
providing a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end and enclosing a lumen having a lumen distal end and a lumen proximal end, the catheter having an opening formed between the distal end and the proximal end, the opening communicating with the lumen;
providing a retractor comprising two elongate portions, each having distal and proximal ends, the elongate portions being movable relative to each other;
mounting the retractor onto the catheter so that the distal ends of the elongate portions are positioned proximal of the opening a longitudinal distance approximately the same as a thickness of a blood vessel;
connecting the lumen proximal end to a source of negative pressure;
advancing the catheter over the guidewire and into the wound until the opening just enters the blood vessel;
and
separating the elongate portions of the retractor.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tissue opening locator and everter and method

Life of this patent

Tissue opening locator and everter and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims10