Importance

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Abstract

A device for suturing a vascular puncture site includes a shaft having a distal end terminating in a pair of resilient prongs, each of which releasably carries a suture anchor attached to one end of a suture. The shaft is installed within a hollow tube for longitudinal translation therein between first and second positions. The tube has a distal end portion and an opening spaced proximally therefrom. When the shaft is in its first position, the prongs are radially closed in the distal end portion. When the shaft is in its second position, the prongs expand radially to an open position through the opening. The proximal end of the shaft is connected to an actuation member in a fitting that is removably connectable to the proximal end of a sheath. The distal end of the tube is introduced into the puncture site through the sheath, with the shaft in its first position. The sheath is partially withdrawn, leaving the distal end of the tube inside the vessel. The shaft is moved to its second position, whereupon the prongs expand to their open position, thus positioning the suture anchors for penetration of the vascular wall tissue by manipulation of the shaft and/or the tube. The shaft is moved back to its first position to retract the prongs back into the tube, leaving the suture anchors secured to the vascular wall tissue. The tube is withdrawn, leaving the sutures trailing from the anchors so as to be secured together.

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First Claim