Apparatus and methods for sealing vascular punctures

A method for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen using an apparatus comprising an elongate member, a plug member disposed on a distal end of the elongate member, the plug member comprising an outer surface including a helical thread, and a bleed back indicator associated with a distal end of the plug member, the method comprising:

• inserting the plug member into the passage;
• rotating the elongate member, thereby threading the plug member into the passage until the bleed back indicator enters the body lumen, whereupon fluid from the body lumen may enter the bleed back indicator to identify the location of the body lumen with respect to the plug member;
• and
• reversing rotation of the elongate member, thereby withdrawing the plug member a predetermined distance relative to the body lumen.

A method for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen using an apparatus comprising an elongate member, a plug member disposed on a distal end of the elongate member, the plug member comprising an outer surface including a helical thread, and a lumen extending proximally from a distal port in the plug member, the method comprising:

• inserting the plug member into the passage until the helical thread begins to enter the passage;
• rotating the elongate member, thereby threading the plug member into the passage until the distal port enters the body lumen, whereupon fluid from the body lumen may enter the distal port to identify the location of the body lumen with respect to the plug member;
• and
• activating a sealing member in the lumen, thereby substantially sealing the lumen from fluid flow therethrough.

A method for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen, the method comprising:

• providing an elongate member extending through the passage into the body lumen;
• advancing a plug member which is releasably disposed on the distal end of a handle device over the elongate member until a helical threat on an outer surface of the plug member begins to engage tissue surrounding the passage;
• rotating the plug member, thereby threading the plug member into the passage until a distal port in the plug member enters the body lumen, whereupon fluid from the body lumen may enter the distal port to indicate that the plug member has entered the body lumen;
• withdrawing the elongate member from the passage, leaving the plug member within the passage to substantially seal the passage;
• and
• releasing the plug member from the distal end of the handle device.

A method for sealing a passage through tissue communicating with a body lumen, the method comprising:

• providing an elongate member extending through the passage into the body lumen;
• advancing a plug member over the elongate member until a helical thread on an outer surface of the plug member begins to engage tissue surrounding the passage;
• rotating the plug member, thereby threading the plug member into the passage until a distal port in the plug member enters the body lumen, whereupon fluid from the body lumen may enter the distal port to indicate that the plug member has entered the body lumen;
• reversing rotation of the plug member, thereby withdrawing the plug member a predetermined distance relative to the body lumen;
• and
• withdrawing the elongate member from the passage, leaving the plug member within the passage to substantially seal the passage.