Apparatus and methods for delivering a closure device

An apparatus for delivering a closure device from a carrier assembly slidably carried by an elongate member, comprising:

• a housing comprising proximal and distal ends, the distal end comprising a connector for mating to a proximal end of the elongate member;
• inner, intermediate, and outer actuator members that are nested together and telescope relative to the housing, each actuator member comprising a connector on its distal end for engaging a respective member on the carrier assembly, thereby coupling distal movement of the carrier assembly to distal movement of the inner, intermediate, and outer actuator members;
• a control member coupled to at least one of the inner, intermediate, and outer actuator members;
• cooperating detents on the inner, intermediate, and outer actuator members for coupling together distal movement of the inner, intermediate, and outer actuator members as the control member is directed distally, the cooperating detents releasing the outer actuator member upon attaining a first distal position, thereby permitting further distal movement of the inner and intermediate actuator members with respect to the outer actuator member.

An apparatus for delivering a closure device, comprising:

• a sheath comprising a lumen extending between proximal and distal ends, and including a carrier assembly slidably carried by the sheath, the carrier assembly comprising a closure element carried by the carrier assembly;
• an actuator assembly comprising an actuator housing connected to the proximal end of the sheath, a plurality of telescoping actuator members connected to the carrier assembly;
• an obturator in the actuator housing, a distal portion of the obturator extending through the lumen of the sheath and beyond a distal end of the sheath, the distal portion comprising one or more positioning elements expandable from a collapsed configuration to a transverse expanded configuration, the obturator also comprising a locking mechanism for releasably securing the positioning elements in the expanded configuration;
• and
• a release mechanism in the actuator housing coupled to at least one of the telescoping actuator members and the obturator, the release mechanism automatically releasing the locking mechanism when the at least one of the telescoping actuator members is advanced distally to a predetermined location to contract the positioning elements to the collapsed configuration.

An apparatus for delivering a closure element into an opening through tissue, comprising:

• an elongate member comprising proximal and distal ends;
• a carrier assembly slidable on the elongate member, the carrier assembly comprising an inner carrier member, and a pusher member overlying the carrier member, thereby defining a space distal to the pusher member along an outer surface of the carrier member;
• an annular-shaped closure element received on the carrier member within the space, the closure element being deployable from the space upon distal movement of the pusher member relative to the carrier member;
• and
• an actuator assembly connected to the proximal end of the elongate member, the actuator assembly comprising a plurality of telescoping members coupled to the carrier assembly, the actuator assembly configured for advancing the carrier assembly distally to a predetermined position, whereupon the pusher member is movable distally with respect to the inner carrier member for deploying the closure element from the space.

A method for delivering a closure element to close an opening through tissue, the method comprising:

• inserting a distal end of an elongate member into an opening through tissue;
• advancing a carrier assembly over the elongate member towards the distal end of the elongate member, the carrier assembly comprising a carrier member carrying a closure element, and an outer sleeve covering the closure element;
• discontinuing advancing the outer sleeve, while continuing to advance the carrier member and the closure element, thereby causing the outer sleeve to expand as the carrier member and the closure element pass thereunder;
• and
• deploying the closure element from the elongate member to close the opening.