Importance

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Abstract

Wound closure methods and apparatus are provided which utilize blood fluid by activating the clotting cascade of blood fluid outside the body within a substantially enclosed sterile container then introducing the blood fluid to the wound site to complete clotting. Methods and apparatus for providing ways of inhibiting anti-coagulating agents and slowing fibrin clot degradation are also disclosed. Kits for practicing the invention singularly or in combination with and/or associated with preferred procedures are also disclosed. The present invention provides improved methods of creating hemostasis or control of bleeding at the site of wounds, particularly wounds created in arteries during procedures employing percutaneous access. The invention preferably includes the steps of acquiring an aliquot of a patient's blood, i.e., autologous blood, removing a negatively charged anti-coagulating agent, preferably heparin, from the blood, and preferably initiating the blood's natural clotting cascades and transporting the thus treated blood to the site of the wound where the clotting cascade will be completed producing a clot at the wound site that will create a condition of hemostasis. The invention further provides a clotting cascade initiation apparatus including a substantially enclosed sterile containment chamber within which an aliquot of blood fluid, either autologous or from donor sources, can be received and retained. In preferred embodiments, the sterile containment chamber further includes a heparin binding agent which will bind heparin and remove it from the blood fluid. In further embodiments the containment chamber will also include a procoagulating agent, wherein a clotting cascade can be initiated when the blood fluid is accepted into the sterile containment chamber.

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First Claim