Importance

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Abstract

A method and device for sealing an opening in an anatomical structure within a living body involves the positioning of the tissue adjacent to the opening within a gap between proximal and distal parts of a tube formed by a curved central part. A needle coupled to a suture is pushed from a needle retention channel formed within the proximal part through the tissue received in the gap and into a needle receiving channel formed within the distal part. The device may be moved to a second position where a new region of tissue is located in the gap between the proximal and distal parts of the tube. The needle may be pushed or drawn out of the receiving channel in the distal part, through the tissue and into the receiving channel in the proximal part to thereby loop the suture through the anatomical structure. The procedure may be repeated to form multiple suture loops in the structure and then the ends of the suture may be knotted. Needle pushing mechanisms may be adapted to move through the needle retention channels, and thus may be used to push a needle through the device. The device may include a trigger mechanism which is adapted to move the needle pushing mechanisms and thus the needle may be placed through the anatomical structure through operation of the trigger mechanism.

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First Claim