Patent ID: 6592608
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: A61B,A61P

Abstract:
A method for sealing a puncture opening of the type made by a coaxial needle, comprising the steps of:providing a dehydrated plug formed of hydrogel that expands in response to application of a liquid fluid thereto; slidingly disposing the dehydrated plug in a lumen of said coaxial needle; pre-hydrating said dehydrated plug by introducing a liquid-fluid solution into said lumen of said coaxial needle before displacing said prehydrated plug from said lumen; slidingly displacing said prehydrated plug within said lumen to a preselected location near a distal end of said lumen; withdrawing said coaxial needle while maintaining said prehydrated plug at said preselected location; whereby said pre-hydrated plug expands to fill said puncture opening in less time than a dehydrated plug that is not pre-hydrated.