Methods and apparatus for hemostasis following arterial catheterization

Abstract

A method for producing hemostasis of an artery of a patient having a puncture following arterial catheterization including introducing a hemostasis device including at least one electrode into the vicinity of the puncture, supplying an electric current to the at least one electrode, thereby heating blood in the vicinity of the puncture and causing coagulation of the blood and subsequently removing the hemostasis device from the patient.

1 . A method for producing hemostasis of an artery of a patient having a puncture following arterial catheterization comprising: 
 introducing a hemostasis device comprising at least one electrode into the vicinity of said puncture;    supplying an electric current to said at least one electrode, thereby heating a volume of blood in the vicinity of said puncture, causing coagulation of said blood and causing closure of said puncture; and    subsequently removing said hemostasis device from the patient.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  and wherein said at least one electrode comprises a pair of electrodes.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  and wherein said introducing comprises introducing via a catheter introducer.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  and wherein said introducing also comprises inflating an anchor balloon attached to an end of said hemostasis device.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1  and wherein said introducing also comprises inflating a peripheral balloon.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5  and wherein removing said hemostasis device comprises deflating said peripheral balloon.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  and wherein said introducing also comprises positioning said at least one electrode in close proximity to said volume of blood.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  and wherein said supplying comprises supplying electrical power at RF frequencies.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8  and wherein said electrical power comprises electrical power in the range of 0.1-10 watts at up to 25 volts.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1  and wherein said supplying also comprises adjusting said electric current based on feedback measurement.  
   
   
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       21 . A method for producing hemostasis of an artery of a patient having a puncture following arterial catheterization comprising: 
 introducing a hemostasis device comprising at least one electrode into the vicinity of said puncture;    positioning said at least one electrode in proximity with said puncture;    supplying an electric current to said at least one electrode, thereby heating a volume of blood in the vicinity of said puncture, causing coagulation of said blood and causing closure of said puncture; and    subsequently removing said hemostasis device from the patient.    
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 21  and wherein said positioning comprises: 
 inflating an anchor balloon attached to an end of said hemostasis device;    inflating a peripheral balloon; and    subsequently deflating said anchor balloon.    
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 22  and wherein said volume of blood is delimited by said peripheral balloon and a wall of said artery.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 21  and wherein said at least one electrode comprises a pair of electrodes.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 21  and wherein said supplying comprises supplying electrical power at RF frequencies.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25  and wherein said electrical power comprises electrical power in the range of 0.1-10 watts at up to 25 volts.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 21  and wherein said supplying also comprises adjusting said electric current based on a feedback measurement.