Tissue closure system and methods of use

Abstract

A closure element includes a coiled body and a plurality of tissue engaging portions. The tissue engaging portions disposed about at least a portion of the coiled body. The coiled body is formed of a resilient material according to one example. According to another example, a closure element includes a spiral body and a plurality of tissue engaging portions disposed about the spiral body. The spiral body is formed from a resilient material.

1 . A closure element, comprising:
 a coiled body; and   a plurality of vessel engaging elements disposed about at least a portion of said coiled body, said coiled body being formed of a resilient material.   
   
   
       2 . The closure element of  claim 1 , wherein said coiled body forms more than one coil when in said coiled body is in a relaxed state. 
   
   
       3 . The closure element of  claim 1 , wherein said resilient material includes at least one of a biodegradable material, a bioreabsorbable material, and a shape memory alloy. 
   
   
       4 . The closure element of  claim 1 , wherein said coiled body includes a first end and a second end separated by an angular separation, said angular separation corresponding to a relaxed state being greater than an angular separation corresponding to an expanded state. 
   
   
       5 . The closure element of  claim 1 , wherein a radial distance of said coiled body in a relaxed state is less than a radial distance of said coiled body in an expanded state. 
   
   
       6 . The closure element of  claim 1 , wherein said vessel engaging feature includes at least one tine. 
   
   
       7 . A closure element, comprising:
 a spiral body; and   a plurality of tissue engaging portions disposed about said spiral body, said spiral body being formed from a resilient material.   
   
   
       8 . The closure element of  claim 7 , said spiral body being configured to contract from a partially expanded state to a relaxed state to close an opening in tissue. 
   
   
       9 . The closure element of  claim 8 , wherein said spiral body includes a first end and a second end separated by an angular separation, said angular separation increasing as the spiral body contracts. 
   
   
       10 . The closure element of  claim 8 , wherein said spiral body is further configured to contract radially relative to an axis of said closure element. 
   
   
       11 . The closure element of  claim 7 , wherein said tissue engaging portions include a plurality of tines. 
   
   
       12 . The closure element of  claim 7 , wherein said spiral body includes a proximal end and a distal end, said tissue engaging portions being formed on a distal end of said spiral body. 
   
   
       13 . The closure element of  claim 12 , wherein said proximal end is generally planar. 
   
   
       14 . The closure element of  claim 12 , wherein said closure element is formed from at least one of a biodegradable material, a bioreabsorbable material, and a shape memory alloy. 
   
   
       15 . A system for closing an opening in tissue, comprising:
 a closure element having a coiled body and a plurality of tissue engaging portions disposed about at least a portion of said body, said body being formed of a resilient material; and   a clip applier apparatus being configured to deploy said closure element into the tissue.   
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the clip applier apparatus includes a locator assembly having a distal end region configured to extend into the opening and selectably contact a wall of the tissue and a proximal end configured to cooperate with a movable plunger, a carrier assembly coupled with said locating assembly, said carrier assembly retaining said closure element within said carrier assembly, and a triggering system cooperating with said locator assembly, said triggering system moveable toward said distal end region of said locator assembly as said movable plunger moves toward said distal end region. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a housing receiving said locator assembly, said carrier assembly, and said triggering system. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said locator assembly is configured to selectively control said distal end region of said locator assembly between an expanded state and an unexpanded state. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein said locator assembly further comprises a control member coupled to at least one expansion member and a tubular member configured to surround said control member. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein said locator assembly further comprises a tubular body block mounted to said tubular member, a spring retainer receiving a portion of said tubular body block, and said movable plunger slidably cooperating with said tubular body block and said tubular member.