Patent US2895949A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5593422A
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US
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Occlusion assembly for sealing openings in blood vessels and a method for sealing openings in blood vessels
Assignee: INNOVASC R&D BV TE ROTTERDAM
•
Filing: 1995-01-06
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Granted: 1997-01-14
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Expires: 2015-01-06
Abstract
Abstract Occlusion assembly for sealing openings in blood vessels, consisting of an occlusion element and fixing element to be fitted through the openings in the blood vessel. The fixing element is firmly connected to a retaining element. A locking element engages on the retaining element. This locking element is fitted horizontally against the outside of the blood vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Wouter M. Muijs Van de Moer
- 👤 Rienk Rienks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/0057; A61B2017/00637; A61B2017/00646; A61B2017/00659; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
An occlusion assembly for percutaneously sealing a puncture in the wall of an artery or vein in the human body comprising: a flexible retaining element; a pair of clamping members mounted to the retaining element each of said clamping members being sized to be placed entirely beneath the surface of the skin and in turn having a surface for engaging the wall; both of the clamping members being insertable percutaneously below the skin to be engageable with the wall of the artery or vein; one of the clamping members being capable of being passed through the puncture in the artery or vein and being constructed to lie in facing contact against the internal surface of the artery or vein adjacent the site of the puncture, the other clamping member being movable along the retaining element toward the first mentioned clamping member to engage and lie in facing contact against the outside surface of the artery or vein thereby to clamp the wall of the artery or vein directly between the two clamping members to prevent blood flow through the puncture sufficiently to enable the puncture to heal; at least one of the clamping members being formed from a bioabsorbable material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
An occlusion assembly for percutaneously sealing a puncture in the wall of an artery or vein in the human body comprising: a flexible retaining element; a pair of clamping members mounted to the retaining element each of said clamping members being sized to be placed entirely beneath the surface of the skin and in turn having a surface for engaging the wall; both of the clamping members being insertable percutaneously below the skin to be engageable with the wall of the artery or vein; one of the clamping members being capable of being passed through the puncture in the artery or vein and being constructed to lie in facing contact against the internal surface of the artery or vein adjacent the site of the puncture, the other clamping member being movable along the retaining element toward the first mentioned clamping member to engage and lie in facing contact against the outside surface of the artery or vein thereby to clamp the wall of the artery or vein directly between the two clamping members to prevent blood flow through the puncture sufficiently to enable the puncture to heal; at least one of the clamping members being formed from a bioabsorbable material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the clamping members comprises an occlusion element and the other clamping member comprises a locking element for cooperation with the occlusion element to clamp the wall of the artery or vein therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein the occlusion element is sized to be passed through the puncture in the artery or vein to engage the inner surface of the artery or vein and the locking element is sized to lie against the outside of the artery or vein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein the occlusion assembly further comprises a fixing element firmly connected to the retaining element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein the fixing element comprises a curved rod-shaped element and the retaining element is attached to the center thereof such that when the retaining element is tensioned the center of the rod-shaped element is drawn against the occlusion element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in any one of claims 1-5 wherein both of the clamping members are formed from a bioabsorbable material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in any one of claims 1-5 further comprising: a portion of the flexible retaining element between clamping members, when the wall of the artery or vein is clamped between the two clamping members, is in tension.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 7 wherein said portion of the retaining element comprises the only portion of the retaining element that is maintained in tension after the artery or vein wall has been clamped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein the retaining element is formed from a bioabsorbable material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein the retaining element comprises a thread.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the retaining element comprises a thread.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the clamping members covers fully the puncture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising a fixing element attached to the end of the retaining element to provide additional support for said one clamping member and to facilitate urging of the first clamping member firmly against the inner surface of the artery or vein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the occlusion members contains a medicament to promote healing of the puncture site.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
An occlusion assembly as defined in claim 1 further comprising a tubular member having an end insertable into the artery or vein through the puncture, the tubular member being constructed to receive the clamping members and retaining members to guide them to the region of the puncture.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
140 words
An occlusion assembly for sealing an opening in a wall of blood vessels, comprising a first occlusion component sized for introduction through the opening in the wall of a blood vessel and into engagement with an inner surface of said wall to preclude withdrawal through said opening, a retaining element secured to said first component with a portion of said element passing through said opening with said first component, and a second occlusion component engaging the retaining element, characterized in that the second component is sized to lie beneath the surface of the skin and adjacent the outside of the blood vessel wall with the portion of the retaining element which passes through said opening of the blood vessel between the first component and second component in use being in tension for clamping the wall of the blood vessel therebetween.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
140 words
An occlusion assembly for sealing an opening in a wall of blood vessels, comprising a first occlusion component sized for introduction through the opening in the wall of a blood vessel and into engagement with an inner surface of said wall to preclude withdrawal through said opening, a retaining element secured to said first component with a portion of said element passing through said opening with said first component, and a second occlusion component engaging the retaining element, characterized in that the second component is sized to lie beneath the surface of the skin and adjacent the outside of the blood vessel wall with the portion of the retaining element which passes through said opening of the blood vessel between the first component and second component in use being in tension for clamping the wall of the blood vessel therebetween.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
An occlusion assembly according to claim 16 wherein at least one occlusion component contains a stenosis combatting agent therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
An occlusion assembly according to claim 16 wherein at least one occlusion component contains an agent therein which combats constriction of the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
An occlusion assembly according to claim 16 wherein said second component is a locking member sized to be positioned against the outer surface of the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An occlusion assembly according to claim 19 wherein said occlusion assembly further includes a fixing element firmly connected to said retaining element adjacent to said occlusion component to the opposite side thereof from said locking member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
An occlusion assembly according to claim 20 wherein said fixing element comprises a curved rod-shaped element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An occlusion assembly according to claim 19, wherein said locking member is movable along the retaining element.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
An occlusion assembly according to claim 16, wherein said second occlusion component is movable along said retaining element.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
111 words
An occlusion assembly for sealing an incision in the body of a patient wherein the incision extends through the skin of the patient and through a blood vessel wall, defining an opening therein, the assembly comprising; a bioabsorbable occlusion element; a bioabsorbable retaining element operatively connected to said occlusion element and extending proximally of said occlusion element in the incision in use; and a bioabsorbable locking element sized to be received beneath the surface of the skin of the patient and in the incision and wherein said locking element is operatively connected to said retaining element to, in cooperation with said occlusion element, obstruct the flow of blood through the incision.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
111 words
An occlusion assembly for sealing an incision in the body of a patient wherein the incision extends through the skin of the patient and through a blood vessel wall, defining an opening therein, the assembly comprising; a bioabsorbable occlusion element; a bioabsorbable retaining element operatively connected to said occlusion element and extending proximally of said occlusion element in the incision in use; and a bioabsorbable locking element sized to be received beneath the surface of the skin of the patient and in the incision and wherein said locking element is operatively connected to said retaining element to, in cooperation with said occlusion element, obstruct the flow of blood through the incision.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 24 wherein said locking element is movable along said retaining element.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 25 wherein said occlusion element is sized to be received through an opening in the blood vessel and generally parallel to said retaining element in a first orientation of said occlusion element.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 26 wherein said occlusion element is generally perpendicular to said retaining element in a second orientation of said occlusion element.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 24 wherein said occlusion element is movable along said retaining element and is insertable into said incision in a first orientation.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 28 wherein said occlusion element is in a second orientation when the incision is sealed from the flow of blood passing through the blood vessel opening and said locking element is operatively connected to said retaining element to fix said occlusion element in said incision.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 24 wherein a portion of said retaining element between said occlusion element and said locking element is in tension when the incision is sealed from the flow of blood passing through the blood vessel wall opening.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 24 wherein said locking element engages at least a portion of said retaining element, and said locking element and said occlusion element are in a spaced relationship along said retaining element as the incision is sealed from the flow of blood passing through the blood vessel wall opening.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
115 words
A bioabsorbable occlusion assembly for introduction into an incision and for sealing an opening in the wall of a blood vessel within said incision comprising; an occlusion element which is sized to be fitted through the opening in the wall of a blood vessel and lie generally adjacent thereto in use; a retaining element sized for reception in the incision and in operative connection with said occlusion element to extend proximally thereof in the incision; and a locking element sized to be received in the incision and beneath the skin and operatively connected to said retaining element to retain the wall of the blood vessel between said locking element and said occlusion element in use.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
115 words
A bioabsorbable occlusion assembly for introduction into an incision and for sealing an opening in the wall of a blood vessel within said incision comprising; an occlusion element which is sized to be fitted through the opening in the wall of a blood vessel and lie generally adjacent thereto in use; a retaining element sized for reception in the incision and in operative connection with said occlusion element to extend proximally thereof in the incision; and a locking element sized to be received in the incision and beneath the skin and operatively connected to said retaining element to retain the wall of the blood vessel between said locking element and said occlusion element in use.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
43 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 32 wherein said locking element is movable along said retaining element to a position generally adjacent to the wall of the blood vessel to seal the incision from the flow of blood passing through the blood vessel opening.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 32 wherein said occlusion assembly includes a stenosis combatting agent combined with at least one of said occlusion element and said locking element.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 32 wherein said occlusion element is movable between a first orientation during insertion and a second orientation in use.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 35 wherein said occlusion element is oriented generally parallel to said locking element in said second orientation.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
35 words
The occlusion assembly of claim 32 wherein at least one of said occlusion element and said locking element is movable along said retaining element toward the other of said locking element and said occlusion element.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method for fitting an occlusion assembly in an opening in a blood vessel, comprising the positioning of a sheath through the opening in the blood vessel, guiding an occlusion element and a retaining element, which is coupled therewith, through said sheath into the blood vessel, removing the sheath from the opening in the blood vessel and placing a locking element on the retaining element, characterized in that the locking element is sized to lie beneath the surface of the skin and against the outside of the blood vessel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
88 words
Method for fitting an occlusion assembly in an opening in a blood vessel, comprising the positioning of a sheath through the opening in the blood vessel, guiding an occlusion element and a retaining element, which is coupled therewith, through said sheath into the blood vessel, removing the sheath from the opening in the blood vessel and placing a locking element on the retaining element, characterized in that the locking element is sized to lie beneath the surface of the skin and against the outside of the blood vessel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
34 words
Method according to claim 38, wherein the retaining element is connected to a fixing element, wherein the method further include inserting the fixing element in the sheath before the occlusion element is guided therethrough.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
260 words
A method for percutaneously sealing a percutaneously formed puncture in the wall of an artery or vein comprising: providing an occlusion assembly comprising a flexible retaining element and a pair of clamping members mounted to the retaining element, at least one of the clamping members being formed from a bioabsorbable material, both of the clamping members being sized for insertion percutaneously below the surface of the skin to be engageable with the artery or vein, one of the clamping members being sized to be passed through the puncture in the artery or vein and to lie against the internal surface of the wall of the artery or vein adjacent the side of the puncture, the other clamping member being movable along the retaining element toward the first mentioned clamping member and sized to engage and lie against the outside surface of the wall of the artery or vein entirely beneath the surface of the skin thereby to clamp the wall of the artery or vein directly between the two clamping members; percutaneously inserting the occlusion assembly into the artery or vein by passing the first mentioned of said clamping members through the puncture into the lumen of the artery or vein; thereafter urging the second mentioned of said clamping members along the retaining element toward and into engagement with the outside surface of said artery or vein entirely beneath the surface of the skin thereby to clamp the wall of the artery or vein directly between the two clamping members sufficiently to seal the puncture in the artery or vein.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
260 words
A method for percutaneously sealing a percutaneously formed puncture in the wall of an artery or vein comprising: providing an occlusion assembly comprising a flexible retaining element and a pair of clamping members mounted to the retaining element, at least one of the clamping members being formed from a bioabsorbable material, both of the clamping members being sized for insertion percutaneously below the surface of the skin to be engageable with the artery or vein, one of the clamping members being sized to be passed through the puncture in the artery or vein and to lie against the internal surface of the wall of the artery or vein adjacent the side of the puncture, the other clamping member being movable along the retaining element toward the first mentioned clamping member and sized to engage and lie against the outside surface of the wall of the artery or vein entirely beneath the surface of the skin thereby to clamp the wall of the artery or vein directly between the two clamping members; percutaneously inserting the occlusion assembly into the artery or vein by passing the first mentioned of said clamping members through the puncture into the lumen of the artery or vein; thereafter urging the second mentioned of said clamping members along the retaining element toward and into engagement with the outside surface of said artery or vein entirely beneath the surface of the skin thereby to clamp the wall of the artery or vein directly between the two clamping members sufficiently to seal the puncture in the artery or vein.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
169 words
A method as defined in claim 40 wherein the step of percutaneously inserting the occlusion assembly into the artery or vein further comprises: providing a tubular member through which the occlusion assembly may be passed; positioning one end of the tubular member through the puncture in the artery or vein to communicate with the interior of the artery or vein; advancing the occlusion assembly through the tubular member to cause the first mentioned of the clamping members to pass through the puncture into the lumen of the artery or vein; after the first clamping member has been disposed within the artery or vein, withdrawing the tubular member from the artery and locating the end of the tubular member in proximity to the outer surface of the artery or vein; thereafter advancing the other clamping member through the tubular member and along the retaining member to cause the other clamping member to engage the outer surface of the artery or vein; and removing the tubular member from within the patient.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method as defined in claim 41 wherein the step of advancing the second clamping member into engagement with the outer surface of the artery or vein comprises urging the second clamping member toward the first clamping member along the retaining member sufficiently to develop a tension in that portion of the retaining member that extends between the clamping members.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
42 words
A method as defined in any one of claims 40-42 further comprising: maintaining the clamping members in said clamping engagement with the wall of the artery or vein for a sufficient length of time to enable the puncture to become biologically occluded.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in any one of claims 40-42 further comprising: applying a medicament to the wall of the artery or vein in the region of the puncture.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined in claim 44 wherein the applying of the medicament comprises incorporating the medicament into one of the clamping members.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as defined in claim 44 wherein the medicament comprises angiotensin II-coverting enzyme inhibitor.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of inserting an occlusion assembly contained within a sheath member into an incision to seal an incision that extends through the skin of a patient and through the wall of a blood vessel, said occlusion assembly including a sheath member with an occlusion element and a retaining element positioned in the sheath, and a locking element, said occlusion element and locking element being sized to be placed entirely beneath the surface of the skin within the incision, the method including; positioning the sheath member through the incision and past the wall of the blood vessel, retracting said sheath and retaining the occlusion element within the blood vessel, and positioning the locking element in the incision beneath the surface of the skin, moving at least one of the locking element and the occlusion element toward the other along the retaining element and beneath the surface of the skin wherein the locking element is spaced apart from the occlusion element to stabilize the occlusion element and seal the incision from the flow of blood therethrough.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of inserting an occlusion assembly contained within a sheath member into an incision to seal an incision that extends through the skin of a patient and through the wall of a blood vessel, said occlusion assembly including a sheath member with an occlusion element and a retaining element positioned in the sheath, and a locking element, said occlusion element and locking element being sized to be placed entirely beneath the surface of the skin within the incision, the method including; positioning the sheath member through the incision and past the wall of the blood vessel, retracting said sheath and retaining the occlusion element within the blood vessel, and positioning the locking element in the incision beneath the surface of the skin, moving at least one of the locking element and the occlusion element toward the other along the retaining element and beneath the surface of the skin wherein the locking element is spaced apart from the occlusion element to stabilize the occlusion element and seal the incision from the flow of blood therethrough.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 47 further including adjusting the occlusion element during insertion so that the occlusion element is oriented generally parallel to the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 47 further including moving the locking element along the retaining element to a fixed position in the incision along the retaining element.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 47 further including positioning the locking element in the incision along the retaining element to securely hold the occlusion element along the wall of the blood vessel and tensioning the retaining element between the locking element and the occlusion element.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of inserting an occlusion assembly comprising an occlusion element, a locking element and a retaining element into an incision to seal an incision that extends through the skin of a patient and into a blood vessel, said occlusion assembly being sized to be placed beneath the surface of the skin in the incision, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the occlusion assembly into the incision and blood vessel; and moving at least one of said locking element and said occlusion element toward the other of the locking element and the occlusion element to a position in the incision and blood vessel wherein the locking element is spaced apart from the occlusion element and positioned below the surface of the skin in the incision to occlude a portion of said incision and the flow of blood through the incision from the blood vessel.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of inserting an occlusion assembly comprising an occlusion element, a locking element and a retaining element into an incision to seal an incision that extends through the skin of a patient and into a blood vessel, said occlusion assembly being sized to be placed beneath the surface of the skin in the incision, the method comprising the steps of: inserting the occlusion assembly into the incision and blood vessel; and moving at least one of said locking element and said occlusion element toward the other of the locking element and the occlusion element to a position in the incision and blood vessel wherein the locking element is spaced apart from the occlusion element and positioned below the surface of the skin in the incision to occlude a portion of said incision and the flow of blood through the incision from the blood vessel.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 51 wherein the occlusion element is moved from a non-occluding orientation during insertion to an occluding orientation along the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 51 further including positioning the locking element in a fixed relationship along the retaining element.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 51 further including orienting the occlusion element generally parallel to the retaining element during insertion and generally perpendicular thereto as the occlusion element is positioned along the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 54 further including compressing the occlusion element after insertion to be oriented generally parallel to the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 51 further including placing the portion of the retaining element between the occlusion element and the locking member in tension when the occlusion element is positioned along the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 51 further including compressing the occlusion element after insertion to be oriented generally parallel to the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 51 further including positioning of the locking element in the incision along the retaining element to securely hold the occlusion element along the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 51 further including positioning of the locking element in the incision and tensioning the retaining element between the locking element and the occlusion element.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of inserting an occlusion assembly comprising an occlusion element, a locking element and a retaining element into an incision to seal an incision that extends through the skin of a patient and into a blood vessel, the method including the steps of: inserting the occlusion assembly into the incision and below the surface of the skin; and positioning a bioabsorbable locking element in the incision between beneath the surface of the skin of a patient and the blood vessel to obstruct the flow of blood through the incision from the blood vessel of the patient.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of inserting an occlusion assembly comprising an occlusion element, a locking element and a retaining element into an incision to seal an incision that extends through the skin of a patient and into a blood vessel, the method including the steps of: inserting the occlusion assembly into the incision and below the surface of the skin; and positioning a bioabsorbable locking element in the incision between beneath the surface of the skin of a patient and the blood vessel to obstruct the flow of blood through the incision from the blood vessel of the patient.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 60 further including the step of positioning an occlusion element in the blood vessel generally adjacent to the incision such that the occlusion element and the locking element cooperatively obstruct the flow of blood through the incision from the blood vessel.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 61 further including the step of moving the bioabsorbable locking element along a retaining element in the incision to obstruct the flow of blood through the incision from the blood vessel of the patient.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 62 further including the step of tensioning said retaining element between the locking element and the occlusion element in the incision.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 60 wherein positioning the bioabsorbable locking element includes the step of moving the bioabsorbable locking element along a retaining element in the incision to a location generally between the skin of the patient and the blood vessel.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for fitting a bioabsorbable occlusion assembly in an opening in a blood vessel, said occlusion assembly including a sheath with a bioabsorbable occlusion member and a bioabsorbable retaining element received in said sheath, said assembly further including a locking element, said occlusion element and locking element being sized to be placed entirely beneath the surface of the skin within the incision, said method comprising; positioning the sheath through the opening in the blood vessel; guiding the occlusion member and the retaining element through the sheath and into the blood vessel; retracting said sheath and retaining the occlusion element within the blood vessel, and positioning the locking element in the incision beneath the surface of the skin, and moving the occlusion member and the locking element and the retaining element relative to said sheath to engage over said opening in the blood vessel and obstruct the flow of fluids through the opening.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for fitting a bioabsorbable occlusion assembly in an opening in a blood vessel, said occlusion assembly including a sheath with a bioabsorbable occlusion member and a bioabsorbable retaining element received in said sheath, said assembly further including a locking element, said occlusion element and locking element being sized to be placed entirely beneath the surface of the skin within the incision, said method comprising; positioning the sheath through the opening in the blood vessel; guiding the occlusion member and the retaining element through the sheath and into the blood vessel; retracting said sheath and retaining the occlusion element within the blood vessel, and positioning the locking element in the incision beneath the surface of the skin, and moving the occlusion member and the locking element and the retaining element relative to said sheath to engage over said opening in the blood vessel and obstruct the flow of fluids through the opening.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 65 including the step of causing movement of the occlusion member from a first position to a second position wherein the occlusion member is generally aligned along the wall of the blood vessel.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 66 including the step of moving the locking element along the retaining element toward the occlusion member upon engagement over said opening.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 65 including the further step of tensioning the portion of the retaining element between the locking element and the occlusion member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-14 | 2000-07-15 | 2001-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-14 | 2004-07-15 | 2005-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-14 | 2008-07-15 | 2009-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |