SEALING BLOOD VESSEL PUNCTURE SITES

摘要

A method for percutaneous sealing of punctures in arterial and venous blood vessels is provided. After catheterization of any vessel (17) or organ for diagnostic or interventional procedure or endoscopic or orthopedic procedures involving the intentional puncture and penetration of a vessel wall, or the accidental puncture of a vessel wall, separate solutions containing fibrinogen and thrombin, respectively, are introduced into the tissue surrounding the puncture site (25). The solutions are allowed to mix forming a semisolid gel at the time of application at the puncture site (25). The gel further hardens around the site to seal the puncture closed preventing the leakage of blood. Solutions of antibiotics and epinephrine as well as agents that slow clot breakdown may be included in the mixture. An apparatus (65) for accomplishing the method is also disclosed.