Importance

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Abstract

A wound closure apparatus and a method for its use are described. The apparatus includes a trilumen tubular member dimensioned to be positioned within a blood vessel through a conventional catheter sheath introducer. A mesh assembly extends longitudinally through the center lumen of the tubular member to position an expandable mesh portion within the vessel. The expandable mesh portion can be configured between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition by the attending surgeon or other medical personnel. Sutures are deposited into the blood vessel by a pair of medical needles inserted through the vessel wall adjacent the wound so that the leading ends of the sutures are deposited directly into the expandable mesh portion and are captured therein. The leading ends of the sutures can be withdrawn from the vessel through the center lumen of the trilumen body and pulled outside of the wound area where the surgeon can tie the ends thereof to close and seal the vessel wound.

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First Claim