Markers for tissue tract depth indication and methods

Abstract

A vascular closure assembly configured to seal a puncture in a vessel that is accessible through a tissue tract. The vascular closure assembly includes a vascular closure device comprising a handle assembly, an insertion shaft, an anchor assembly, and at least one suture member. The insertion shaft extends distally from the handle assembly and carries a plurality of needles. The needles are operable to position at least one suture across the vessel puncture. The anchor assembly is positioned distal of the insertion shaft. The at least one suture member is positioned distal of the insertion shaft. The insertion shaft extends into the tissue tract to position the anchor assembly through the puncture and into the vessel and includes a first depth indicator on an outer surface thereof that indicates a depth of the tissue tract.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A tissue puncture closure assembly, comprising:
 a tissue closure device, comprising:
 a first portion insertable through a tissue tract to a tissue puncture; 
 a second portion positioned outside the tissue tract and configured to control operation of the first portion of the tissue closure device; 
 wherein the first portion of the tissue closure device includes a first tissue depth indicator configured to measure a depth of the tissue tract upon the first tissue depth indicator contacting the tissue tract; 
   a suture device, comprising:
 a first portion insertable through a tissue tract; 
 a second portion positioned outside the tissue tract and configured to control operation of the first portion of the suture device; 
 wherein the first portion of the suture device includes a second tissue depth indicator configured to measure a depth of the tissue tract upon the second tissue depth indicator contacting the tissue tract. 
   
     
     
         22 . The tissue puncture closure assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second tissue depth indicators comprise a plurality of colors along a length of the first portions of the tissue closure device and the suture device. 
     
     
         23 . The tissue puncture closure assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second tissue depth indicators comprise a plurality of patterns along a length of each of the first portions of the tissue closure device and the suture device. 
     
     
         24 . The tissue puncture closure assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second tissue depth indicators are automatically activated upon contact with the tissue tract. 
     
     
         25 . The tissue puncture closure assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second tissue depth indicators change colors upon contact with the tissue tract. 
     
     
         26 . The tissue puncture closure assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second tissue depth indicators are mechanically activated by operation of the second portions of the tissue closure device and the suture device. 
     
     
         27 . The tissue puncture closure assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the suture device is configured to lock a suture or to cut a suture.