Three-needle closure device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a three-needle type vascular closure system. The closure system utilizes three needles in the form of a guiding device, an expandable needle, and a hooking device. The guiding device is used to make the initial opening in the vessel, where the opening provides access for a sheath through which a medical procedure is to be performed. The expandable needle is inserted into the vessel in which it expands radially from the needle to form a target. The hooking device is also inserted into the vessel and is used to hook the expandable needle so as to form an internal union between the hooking device and the expandable needle. The needles can then be retracted thereby extending a suture from the hooking device and forming an internal suture pass that can be used to approximate the tissue surrounding the initial opening in the vessel. In one embodiment, the suture is passed across the vessel opening prior to dilation of the vessel opening.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 103,150 filed on 11 Apr. 2005, now pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated, in its entirety, by this reference, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 791,097 filed on 2 Mar. 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,824, the disclosure of which is incorporated, in its entirety, by this reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to suturing devices. More specifically, this invention relates to suturing devices for approximating tissue surrounding an opening in a corporeal vessel wall.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Various medical procedures, particularly cardiology procedures, involve accessing a corporeal vessel through a percutaneous sheath. The sheath necessarily requires the formation of a hole or opening in the vessel wall so that a medical procedure can be performed via the sheath. After the particular medical procedure has been performed, the sheath must...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Certain prior closure devices have involved relatively complicated methods and devices for extracting a length of suture from inside the vessel so that the physician can approximate tissue surrounding the hole in the vessel wall through use of the suture.

Most prior closure devices enlarge the vessel opening thereby negating the benefits of using smaller or less invasive percutaneous products.

Prior suturing devices are also relatively complicated and difficult to use.

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