Importance

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Abstract

A suture device and method according to the present invention involves positioning a body of the suture device inside a sheath and extending the body through a vessel wall. The sheath, in one embodiment, is a sheath through which a medical procedure has been performed and which has remained positioned within an opening in the vessel. First and second cannulae, in the form of sharpened needles, are inserted through the vessel wall and through adjacent subcutaneous tissue on opposite sides of the vessel wall opening. A snare or loop is carried by the first needle on a first side of the vessel opening. A suture is carried by the second needle on a second side of the vessel opening. The snare is deployed inside the vessel so that it assumes an opened, pre-oriented, three-dimensional configuration. The suture is then extended into the vessel and positioned inside of the open area formed by the snare or loop. In one embodiment, the snare includes a V-shaped configuration such that as the snare is pulled back into the first needle, the snare closes around and grasps the free end of the suture to hold it securely against the opening in the first needle. After the suture is properly positioned across the vessel opening, the first and second needles are withdrawn away from the vessel wall along with the suture device, and the suture is tied or clamped to approximate tissue surrounding the opening in the vessel.

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First Claim