Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A surgical apparatus for closing an incision or wound in a vessel wall within a living patient, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member dimensioned for insertion within an incision, said tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a center lumen extending longitudinally through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end; a mesh assembly including an expandable portion, said mesh assembly dimensioned for insertion within said center lumen of said tubular member to reversibly position said expandable portion through an incision or wound into a vessel within a living patient, said expandable portion constructed to be configured between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition; first and second side lumens longitudinally disposed along opposing sides of said center lumen and extending along said tubular member, each said side lumen dimensioned to receive a piercing element therein; a pair of tubular piercing elements dimensioned to be slidably received within said side lumens, said piercing elements each having a pointed end capable of piercing the wall of a vessel to deliver first and second sutures within the vessel through the wall thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A surgical apparatus for closing an incision or wound in a vessel wall within a living patient, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member dimensioned for insertion within an incision, said tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a center lumen extending longitudinally through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end; a mesh assembly including an expandable portion, said mesh assembly dimensioned for insertion within said center lumen of said tubular member to reversibly position said expandable portion through an incision or wound into a vessel within a living patient, said expandable portion constructed to be configured between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition; first and second side lumens longitudinally disposed along opposing sides of said center lumen and extending along said tubular member, each said side lumen dimensioned to receive a piercing element therein; a pair of tubular piercing elements dimensioned to be slidably received within said side lumens, said piercing elements each having a pointed end capable of piercing the wall of a vessel to deliver first and second sutures within the vessel through the wall thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular member has an outer diameter dimensioned to be slidably received within a catheter sheath introducer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said first and second side lumens extend through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end substantially parallel to said center lumen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said mesh assembly includes a shaft of sufficient length to extend from at least said proximal end of said tubular member through said center lumen and past said distal end to position said expandable portion within said vessel, said shaft stem member including an outer sheath and a control cord positioned within said sheath and axially moveable with respect thereto, said control cord affixed at one end thereof to said expandable portion to enable said control cord to position said expandable portion between said expanded condition and said collapsed condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said mesh assembly includes means for moving said control cord relative to said outer sheath to thereby position said expandable portion between said expanded condition and said collapsed condition.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
112 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said expandable portion includes first and second collar members disposed axially along said mesh assembly, said first collar disposed at the distal end of said outer sheath and said second collar disposed along said control cord; said expandable portion further including a plurality of fibers extending between said first and second collars, said collars positioned adjacent one another in said expanded condition to thereby position a portion of said fibers in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, said expandable portion having a diameter in said expanded condition greater than the diameter of said center lumen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said mesh assembly further includes a leading coil extending from said expandable portion and forming the distal end of said mesh assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said piercing elements are hollow needles having lumens extending therethrough and said apparatus further comprises at least one plunger member dimensioned to extend into the lumen of said needles to thereby guide said sutures therethrough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A surgical apparatus for closing an incision or wound in a vessel wall within a living patient, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member dimensioned for insertion within an incision, said tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a center lumen extending longitudinally through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end; a mesh assembly including an expandable portion, said mesh assembly dimensioned for insertion within said center lumen of said tubular member to reversibly position said expandable portion through an incision or wound into a vessel within a living patient, said expandable portion constructed to be configured between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition; first and second piercing members associated with said tubular member, each said piercing member having a proximal end and a distal end with a lumen extending therethrough, said distal end having a piercing point thereon to penetrate the wall of a vessel to deliver a suture through said piercing member lumen and within said vessel through said wall thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
171 words
A surgical apparatus for closing an incision or wound in a vessel wall within a living patient, the apparatus comprising: a tubular member dimensioned for insertion within an incision, said tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and a center lumen extending longitudinally through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end; a mesh assembly including an expandable portion, said mesh assembly dimensioned for insertion within said center lumen of said tubular member to reversibly position said expandable portion through an incision or wound into a vessel within a living patient, said expandable portion constructed to be configured between an expanded condition and a collapsed condition; first and second piercing members associated with said tubular member, each said piercing member having a proximal end and a distal end with a lumen extending therethrough, said distal end having a piercing point thereon to penetrate the wall of a vessel to deliver a suture through said piercing member lumen and within said vessel through said wall thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 9, further comprising: first and second side lumens longitudinally disposed along opposing sides of said center lumen and extending along said tubular member parallel to said center lumen, each said side lumen dimensioned to receive one of said piercing members and to position said piercing points to penetrate the wall of a vessel adjacent the wound or incision therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said tubular member has an outer diameter dimensioned to be slidably received within a catheter sheath introducer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A surgical apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said first and second side lumens extend through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end substantially parallel to said center lumen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said mesh assembly includes a shaft of sufficient length to extend from at least said proximal end of said tubular member through said center lumen and past said distal end to position said expandable portion within said vessel, said shaft stem member including an outer sheath and a control cord positioned within said sheath and axially moveable with respect thereto, said control cord affixed at one end thereof to said expandable portion to enable said control cord to position said expandable portion between said expanded condition and said collapsed condition.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said mesh assembly includes means for moving said control cord relative to said outer sheath to thereby position said expandable portion between said expanded condition and said collapsed condition.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
112 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said expandable portion includes first and second collar members disposed axially along said mesh assembly, said first collar disposed at the distal end of said outer sheath and said second collar disposed along said control cord; said expandable portion further including a plurality of fibers extending between said first and second collars, said collars positioned adjacent one another in said expanded condition to thereby position a portion of said fibers in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, said expandable portion having a diameter in said expanded condition greater than the diameter of said center lumen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said mesh assembly further includes a leading coil extending from said expandable portion and forming the distal end of said mesh assembly.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for closing an incision or wound in a vessel wall within a living patient, comprising: providing a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end thereon with a center lumen extending through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end; inserting said distal end of said tubular member into a wound or incision within the wall of a vessel; advancing an expandable mesh through said center lumen past said distal end of said tubular member and within said vessel, said mesh constructed to be configured between a longitudinally collapsed condition and an expanded condition wherein at least a portion of said mesh is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member; configuring said expandable mesh in said expanded condition; delivering first and second sutures within said vessel by injecting the leading ends thereof through the wall of said vessel adjacent said incision or wound; capturing said leading ends of said sutures within said expandable mesh; and withdrawing said expandable mesh and said leading ends of said sutures from said vessel through said wound and said center lumen of said tubular member so that said sutures are threaded first through said vessel wall adjacent said wound, into said vessel and exiting from said vessel through said wound to thereby be positioned outside of the body of a living patient where said sutures can be tied to close and seal said wound.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for closing an incision or wound in a vessel wall within a living patient, comprising: providing a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end thereon with a center lumen extending through said tubular member from said proximal end to said distal end; inserting said distal end of said tubular member into a wound or incision within the wall of a vessel; advancing an expandable mesh through said center lumen past said distal end of said tubular member and within said vessel, said mesh constructed to be configured between a longitudinally collapsed condition and an expanded condition wherein at least a portion of said mesh is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member; configuring said expandable mesh in said expanded condition; delivering first and second sutures within said vessel by injecting the leading ends thereof through the wall of said vessel adjacent said incision or wound; capturing said leading ends of said sutures within said expandable mesh; and withdrawing said expandable mesh and said leading ends of said sutures from said vessel through said wound and said center lumen of said tubular member so that said sutures are threaded first through said vessel wall adjacent said wound, into said vessel and exiting from said vessel through said wound to thereby be positioned outside of the body of a living patient where said sutures can be tied to close and seal said wound.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 17 wherein said providing of a tubular member further includes providing first and second side lumens extending longitudinally along opposing sides of said center lumen, each said side lumen dimensioned to receive a piercing element therein.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method as defined in claim 18 wherein said delivering of first and second sutures within said vessel is accomplished using a pair of tubular piercing elements dimensioned to be slidably received within said first and second side lumens, said piercing elements each including a pointed end capable of piercing the wall of said vessel to deliver said first and second sutures within the vessel through the wall thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 17 wherein said inserting of said distal end of said tubular member into a wound or incision is accomplished using a catheter sheath introducer to position said distal end of said tubular member within said wound.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
118 words
The method as defined in claim 17 wherein said advancing of an expandable mesh through said center lumen is accomplished by first providing said expandable mesh as part of a mesh assembly including a shaft of sufficient length to extend from at least said proximal end of said tubular member through said center lumen and past said distal end to thereby position said expandable mesh within said vessel, said shaft member including an outer sheath and a control cord positioned within said sheath and axially moveable with respect thereto, said control cord affixed at one end to said expandable portion to enable said control cord to position said expandable portion between said expanded condition and said collapsed condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
140 words
The method as defined in claim 21 wherein configuring said expandable mesh in said expanded condition includes moving said control cord relative to said outer sheath to thereby position said expandable portion between said expanded condition and said collapsed condition; said expandable portion including first and second collar members disposed axially along said mesh assembly, said first collar disposed at the distal end of said outer sheath and said second collar disposed along said control cord; a plurality of fibers extending between said first and second collars, said collars positioned adjacent one another in said expanded condition to thereby position a portion of said fibers in a substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member, said expandable portion having a diameter in said expanded condition greater than the cross sectional diameter of said center lumen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method as defined in claim 17 wherein said delivering of said first and second sutures within said vessel is accomplished by inserting said sutures through first and second piercing elements having lumens extending therethrough, said piercing elements including first and second plunger members dimensioned to extend into the lumen of said piercing elements to thereby guide said sutures therethrough.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method as defined in claim 17 wherein said capturing of said leading ends of said sutures is accomplished by injecting the leading ends of said sutures directly into said expandable mesh once said expandable mesh is configured in said expanded condition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as defined in claim 17 wherein said capturing of said leading ends of said sutures is accomplished by rotating said expandable mesh with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tubular member when said expandable mesh is in said expanded condition.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as defined in claim 17 wherein said withdrawing of said expandable mesh and said leading ends of said sutures includes configuring said expandable mesh into said collapsed condition prior to withdrawing said mesh member from said vessel.