Abstract:
The present invention provides collagen sponge useful in arterial sealing. The collagen sponge is shaped to more closely mimic vascular incisions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a vascular closure devices and, more particularly, to a collagen sponge for arterial sealing.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Vascular closure devices are generally known in the art.  FIG. 1  shows a conventional vascular closure device  100  useful in closing arterial punctures. Device  100  may include an anchor  102 , a bypass tube  104 , a hemostatic collagen sponge  106 , a suture  108 , a carrier tube  110 , a tamper tube  112 , a device sleeve  114 , a reference indicator  116 , and a device cap  118 .  
         [0003]     Using device  100 , anchor  102  is deployed to seal a vessel  202  in a patient  204 , see  FIG. 2 . Anchor  102  and collagen sponge  106  seal vessel  202 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , conventionally designed collagen sponge  106  forms a generally conical or spherical shape when fully deployed, which would form a circular cross-section.  
         [0004]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a vessel surface  302  is shown. For endovascular procedures, a doctor makes an incision  304  in vessel surface  302 . Incision  304  has a length L and a width W. Typically, doctors make incision  304  such that length L is perpendicular to the long axis of vessel  202  and width W is parallel the long axis of vessel  202 . This procedure leaves incision  304  with generally an elliptical or oblong shape.  
         [0005]     Because the collagen sponge and the incision often have diverse shapes, especially cross-sectional shapes, it would be desirous to provide an improved collagen sponge to assist in sealing incisions.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an improved collagen sponge is provided. The collagen sponge is shaped to more closely match the incision in a vessel to assist in sealing the incision.  
         [0007]     The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0008]     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, and in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional vascular closure device;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a collagen sponge deployed about a surgical incision; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a conventional incision in a vessel;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a top cross-sectional view of a collagen sponge deployed over an incision; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top cross-section view of collagen sponges consistent with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     The present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a conventional collagen sponge  106  is shown in cross-section, which cross-section is shown as generally circular although one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that collagen sponge  106  would not have a smooth circular cross-section. A conventional incision  304  is shown in phantom beneath collagen  106 . As shown, collagen sponge  106  has at least one lobe  402  (in this case collagen sponge  106  has 2 lobes  402 ) in which a majority of the collagen sponge associated with the lobe is not sufficiently adjacent incision  304  to assist in sealing. Lobe  404 , however, is sufficiently adjacent incision  304  to assist in sealing incision  304 . In other words, lobes  402  of collagen sponge  106  are wasted and unnecessary.  
         [0015]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , collagen sponges consistent with the present invention are shown. In particular, collagen sponge  502  shows collagen sponge  106  with lobes  402  removed. Collagen sponge  502  has a length L′ and a width W′ and generally is formed to mimic the vascular incision. Length L′ and width W′ could be identical to incision length L and width W, but generally collagen sponge  502  is longer and wider than incision  304  after wetting to allow for proper sealing. Collagen sponge  502  could be the same length and width or shorter and narrower, but seepage may occur in these cases. One of skill in the art would recognize on reading the disclosure that collagen sponges can take many shapes where the length to width ratio are not equal, such as for a square or circular shape. For example, the collagen sponge could be have a generally elliptical or oval shape, such as collagen sponge  502 , rectangular shape, such as collagen sponge  504 , diamond shape, such as collagen sponge  506 , hexagon shape, such as collagen sponge  508 , or the like. Further, while not shown, collagen sponge  502  could be specially designed for irregular incisions and not have any predefined shape.  
         [0016]     While collagens consistent with the present invention could be deployed using a conventional vascular closure device, as shown in  FIG. 1 , care would need to be taken to ensure collagen sponge  502 , for example, is deployed to match incision  304 . In other words, collagen sponge  502 &#39;s length L′ needs to substantially align with incision  304 &#39;s length L. Alternative to using delivery conventional devices, such as device  100  above, a modified delivery device could be used. Generally, the only modification to a conventional delivery device would be to alter the device cross-section from generally circular to a shape consistent with the collagen sponge&#39;s shape, such as an oval cross-section to match collagen sponge  502  or a rectangular cross-section to match collagesn sponge  504 , etc. It is believed a closure device having an oval cross-section would likely accommodate many of the collagen sponges consistent with the present invention.  
         [0017]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.