Bipolar vascular sealing apparatus and methods

Abstract

Abstract The method, device and system for electrical sealing of a puncture opening in a blood vessel wall. In a first embodiment, a vascular sealing probe has two bipolar electrodes (e.g., a bipolar electrode tip) formed thereon, is insertable to a position whereat the bipolar tip is positioned adjacent the blood vessel puncture site to effect electrocauterization or electrocoagulation of the puncture site. A guide wire, preferably a non-electrically-conductive guide wire, may be initially inserted through the puncture opening and utilized to guide advancement and positioning of the bipolar probe. In a second embodiment the bipolar vascular sealing probe has a first electrode formed thereon and an electrode-guide wire has the second bipolar electrode formed thereon. The electrode-guide wire is passable through a lumen formed in the probe such that the second electrode on the electrode-guide wire is positioned close enough to the first electrode positioned on the probe to permit electrical current to pass therebetween. In either embodiment, a locator apparatus, such as a notch, may be formed at a predetermined location on the probe to facilitate precise positioning of the probe tip in proximity to the blood vessel wall puncture site. Alternative locator apparatus which are useable to facilitate proper positioning of the probe include a) a blood backflow visualizer, b) a flow meter operative to sense the flow of blood through the blood vessel, c) an impedance measuring apparatus, d) a temperature sensing apparatus operative to sense dissipation of heat resulting from adjacent blood flow through the blood vessel lumen, e) a piezoelectric sensing apparatus, and f) an optical sensing apparatus.

Inventors

• 👤 Howard Taymor-Luria
• 👤 Robert Pecor
• 👤 Timothy C. Mills
• 👤 Clifford E. Currier
• 👤 Mark A. Konno
• 👤 Charles R. Mooney
• 👤 David J. Evans
• 👤 Luchy D. Roteliuk

Bibliographic Details