Methods for imaging a delivery system

A method for determining whether an implantable device deployed, the method comprising:

• positioning a delivery apparatus within an alignment fixture having at least one alignment indicator and relative to an imaging device, the delivery apparatus having at least a portion that is capable of being imaged by an imaging device, the delivery apparatus comprising an implantable device positioned within the delivery apparatus, the implantable device being capable of being imaged by an imaging device;
• analyzing a first image produced by the imaging device to identify any obstructions in the delivery apparatus to obstruct deployment of the implantable device and/or any defects in at least one component of the delivery apparatus;
• determining the relative position of the implantable device within the delivery apparatus and relative to the at least one alignment indicator;
• deploying the implantable device from the delivery apparatus;
• after deploying the implantable device from the delivery apparatus, removing the delivery apparatus from the patient and then positioning the delivery apparatus within the alignment fixture having the at least one alignment indicator and relative to the imaging device following deployment of the implantable device;
• analyzing a second image produced by the imaging device;
• and
• determining whether the implantable device was deployed by determining whether the implantable device is viewable in the second image.

A method for imaging a delivery system for use with a patient, the method comprising:

• forming an implantable vascular closure device from a first base material;
• processing the implantable vascular closure device by providing the first base material that includes a mixture of which a first radiopaque material is a component and/or coating at least a portion of the first base material with a coating of which the first radiopaque material is a component;
• forming at least a portion of a delivery apparatus from a second base material;
• processing at least a portion of the delivery apparatus by providing the second base material that includes a mixture of which a second radiopaque material is a component and/or coating at least a portion of the second base material with a coating of which the second radiopaque material is a component;
• positioning the implantable vascular closure device within the delivery apparatus, the delivery device including an obstruction;
• positioning the delivery apparatus within an alignment fixture and relative to an x- ray imaging device and outside of the patient;
• analyzing an image produced by the x-ray imaging device to identify the obstruction in the delivery apparatus to obstruct deployment of the implantable vascular closure device and/or any defects in at least one component of the delivery apparatus;
• determining the relative position of the implantable vascular closure device within the delivery apparatus;
• determining whether the implantable vascular closure device is properly positioned within the delivery apparatus;
• deploying the implantable vascular closure device;
• during the deployment of the implantable vascular closure device, monitoring the relative position and/or velocity of the implantable vascular closure device within the delivery apparatus using the x-ray imaging device;
• after deploying the implantable vascular closure device from the delivery apparatus, removing the delivery apparatus from the patient and then positioning the delivery apparatus within the alignment fixture having the at least one alignment indicator and relative to the x-ray imaging device following deployment of the implantable vascular closure device;
• analyzing an image produced by the x-ray imaging device;
• determining whether the implantable vascular closure device was deployed and, determining the position of the implantable vascular closure device within the delivery apparatus if the implantable vascular closure device was not deployed;
• and
• determining the position of at least one delivery apparatus component.