Vascular wound closure device and method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for closing a vascular wound includes a guidewire and/or other surgical implement extending from the wound. A hemostatic material is advanced over the surgical implement and into contact with an area of the blood vessel surrounding the wound. The surgical implement is removed. Blood soaks the hemostatic material, and blood clotting is facilitated by the hemostatic agent within the material. A sealing layer of adhesive can be applied to the hemostatic material, confining the blood flow to the material. Thus, the vascular puncture wound is sealed by natural blood clot formation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly for closing a vascular wound, comprising:
 a delivery tube configured to accommodate a hemostatic material therewithin, the delivery tube having a proximal end and a distal end;   an apparatus configured to position the distal end of the delivery tube adjacent a vascular wound; and   a pusher member having a distal portion configured to fit at least partially through the proximal end of the delivery tube, wherein a portion of the pusher member has a diameter larger than a diameter of at least a portion of the delivery tube.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a catheter having a tapered distal portion and at least one catheter hole proximal the distal portion. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the catheter is configured to extend through the delivery tube. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the hemostatic material is configured to be disposed between the catheter and the delivery tube. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a stop member disposed about a surface of the catheter; and   a coupling member movably disposed about the catheter and configured to engage the stop member and engage a proximal coupling member on the pusher member to releasably couple the catheter and pusher member.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the pusher member comprises a distal coupling member configured to releasably couple the pusher member and the delivery tube. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising means for releasably coupling the delivery tube, the apparatus, and the pusher member in fixed relation to one another. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube is generally conical. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the delivery tube is a weakened portion. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the weakened portion is a wall section of reduced thickness. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the weakened portion is a scored wall section. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube comprises two separate halves coupled together. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube comprises an elastic material. 
     
     
         14 . A method for closing a vascular wound comprising:
 providing the assembly of  claim 1 ;   positioning the distal end of the delivery tube adjacent the vascular wound; and   moving the pusher member distally relative to the delivery tube so that at least a portion of the delivery tube deforms so that the hemostatic material is dispatched from the delivery tube.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the delivery tube breaks when the pusher member is moved distally. 
     
     
         16 . An assembly for closing a vascular wound, comprising:
 a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen, the catheter further defining at least one indicator hole formed through a wall of the catheter proximal the distal end of the catheter; and   a retractor comprising at least two retractor arms movably connected to each other, the retractor arms configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position, each of the retractor arms defining an inner surface, the inner surfaces defining a channel through the retractor arms when the retractor arms are in the closed position, the channel configured to receive the catheter, at least a first portion of the channel being sized to engage a surface of the catheter to hold the catheter in a fixed position relative to the closed retractor arms, and at least a second portion of the channel is configured to define a space between the inner surface and the catheter.   
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one indicator hole is disposed a distance from a distal end of the retractor arms at least the same as the width of an artery wall when the catheter is disposed in the channel and the retractor arms are in the closed position. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a hemostatic material is disposed in the space. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the catheter defines a raised portion configured to fit in a receiver section of the channel, the assembly further comprising a pusher member movably disposed about the catheter, the pusher member configured to slide over the catheter. 
     
     
         20 . A method for closing a vascular wound, comprising:
 providing the assembly of  claim 16 ;   positioning the distal end of the retractor adjacent the vascular wound;   moving the retractor arms to the open position; and   moving the hemostatic material toward the vascular wound.