Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for sealing and closing passages formed through tissue. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for sealing or closing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a distal or outside margin or surface, and a proximal or inside margin or surface (i.e., a wall thickness), and to apparatuses and methods for delivering such devices, to control (or prevent or stop) bleeding (or the flow of other biological fluid or tissue). The openings comprise percutaneously formed punctures, incisions, or other openings formed through biological tissue, such as in blood vessels, organs, and the like.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     The present application claims priority to: U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/971,618, filed on Sep. 12, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to medical devices and methods for sealing and closing passages formed through tissue. More specifically, the present invention relates to devices for sealing or closing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a distal or outside margin or surface, and a proximal or inside margin or surface (i.e., a wall thickness), and to apparatuses and methods for delivering such devices, to control (or prevent or stop) bleeding (or the flow of other biological fluid or tissue). The openings comprise punctures, incisions, or other openings formed through biological tissue such as blood vessels or organs. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Access to arterial and venous vascular systems is necessary for intravascular surgical procedures such as cardiac catheterizations and interventional procedures such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or stenting. These intravascular surgical procedures generally are performed by inserting a hollow needle through a patient&#39;s skin (percutaneously) and any intervening tissue into the vascular system, e.g., an artery such as a femoral artery. A guide wire may then be passed through the needle lumen into the patient&#39;s blood vessel. Once the guide wire is in place the needle may be removed, leaving the guide wire in place. An introducer sheath may be advanced over the guide wire into the vessel, e.g., in conjunction with or subsequent to a dilator. A catheter or other device utilizing the percutaneous opening may then be advanced through a lumen of the introducer sheath and over the guide wire into the desired intravascular position. 
     Upon completing the intravascular procedure, the catheter, introducer sheath, guide wire and other medical device components may be removed, leaving an opening in the blood vessel wall (the so-called puncture site, or arteriotomy) and the proximal tissue tract through which blood can flow to the outside (bleeding). External pressure (manual compression) may be applied to the percutaneous puncture site until clotting and wound sealing occur. This procedure, however, may be expensive and time consuming, requiring as much as an hour of a physician&#39;s or nurse&#39;s time. It is also uncomfortable for the patient, and requires that the patient remain immobilized in the operating room, catheterization laboratory, or holding area. In addition, a risk of hematoma exists from bleeding before hemostasis occurs. 
     Once the bleeding has stopped, an elastic bandage (pressure bandage) or sandbag is often placed over the site of the puncture; this exerts pressure so as to prevent the blood clot from being washed away by the pressure in the blood vessel which can easily happen, especially in the case of an arterial puncture. This pressure bandage or sandbag must remain in place for some time, varying from clinic to clinic from 8 to 24 hours. During the period of time that the pressure bandage is in place, the patient must remain resting in bed. After removing the pressure bandage, the patient can become mobile again. This usually means, in practice, that following a percutaneous arterial procedure, the patient must stay in the hospital for a prolonged period of time, often overnight. 
     This external pressure procedure (manual compression) is associated with quite a few complications which are inherent in the technique. Intense bleeding can occur in addition to pseudo-aneurysms (whereby a passage exists, via the puncture site, between the lumen of the blood vessel and a clot situated around the blood vessel (hematoma), arteriovenous fistulas (passages between the arterial and venous systems of blood vessels) and retroperitoneal hematomas can also arise. Neighboring nerves can also become compressed or traumatized from direct pressure or profuse bleeding, resulting in pain, sensation disturbances or even paralysis of the groups of muscles which are innervated by these nerves. These complications arise in approximately 1-3% of all procedures. Surgical intervention is sometimes necessary whereby the hematoma is relieved and the puncture site is sutured over (and, if required, any fistula is sealed). 
     Various apparatuses and devices have been suggested and are being used for percutaneously sealing a vascular puncture by occluding or approximating the margins (edges) of the puncture site (These apparatuses and devices should be known to those skilled in the art, all of which need not be specifically referenced herein). These apparatuses and devices relate to closure devices that must be manually deployed via a deployment instrument. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,689, issued to Kensey et al. With respect to the prior art, the efficacy of vascular closure depends strongly on the user&#39;s ability to position the closure means accurately with respect to the puncture site while the procedure is performed blindly. The manual deployment means of such vascular closure devices (characterized by multiple user-performed steps and device manipulations) necessitates the user to develop a highly subjective “feel” or “tactile technique” to reliably position the closure device correctly. 
     This requirement of tactile manipulation coupled with the many user-induced procedural steps, difficulty of use, long learning curves, and low precision (of the prior art devices) has lead to a slow adoption rate for vascular closure devices among cardiac catheterization laboratories. As a result, the benefits to the patient (comfort and improved medical outcome) and to the institution (enhanced throughput and decreased costs) are compromised. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore a principal object and an advantage of the present invention to provide deployment devices or instruments (that are used to deploy closure implants) that offer improved ease-of-use as compared with the current devices (as discussed supra), i.e., that: (1) minimize tactile manipulation, (2) minimize user-induced procedural steps, (3) minimize user training time to learn how to effectively use the deployment devices or instruments, (4) increase closure precision, and (5) increase the typical user&#39;s desire to use such deployment devices or instruments. More specifically, it is a principal object and an advantage of the present invention to provide deployment devices or instruments with automated functionality. 
     It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a closure device that provides a better, more effective seal on a repeatable basis, as compared with the first generation closure devices described supra. 
     It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a closure device that dissolves (biodegrades) in vivo, allowing for future arterial access, i.e. ‘re-sticks’. 
     It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a closure device that is operable to lock in place, to stabilize the closure implant (the device) across the vessel wall, i.e., where the implant construct compresses the vessel wall and then is held in place (locked) such that it is immoveable. One of the risks of bleeding in existing devices is that they don&#39;t provide a closure construct which is resistant to dislodgement due to physiologic motion (hip flexion, etc.). Hence, a locked (or stable) device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention would allow for a more secure early ambulation of the patient. 
     In accordance with the foregoing objects an advantages, an embodiment of the present invention provides medical devices and methods for sealing and closing passages formed through tissue that overcome the problems of the prior art. More specifically, devices for sealing or closing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a distal or outside margin or surface, and a proximal or inside margin or surface (i.e., a wall thickness), and apparatuses and methods for delivering such devices, to control (or prevent or stop) bleeding (or the flow of other biological fluid or tissue), are provided. The openings comprise punctures, incisions, or other openings formed through biological tissue such as blood vessels or organs. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device is provided for sealing openings formed through biological tissue of various sizes (e.g., openings formed as a result of small percutanous puncture procedures such as diagnostic catheterization or coronary angioplasty or stenting, and openings formed as a result of large percutaneous puncture procedures such as mitral valve repair techniques). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device for sealing an opening formed through biological tissue is provided which comprises a footplate, a plug, and a wire in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device for sealing an opening formed through biological tissue is provided which comprises a footplate, a plug, and a wire in a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate comprises a monolithic structure, i.e., fabricated as a single structure (wire form) comprising a distal portion of the wire. The distal portion of the wire that comprises the footplate comprises a looped or elliptically shaped distal portion of the wire. The monolithic embodiment of the footplate is operable to plastically deform. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate comprises a structure which is separate from and permanently fixed to the wire. The footplate portion comprises a stamped or machined plate portion. In this embodiment, a portion, preferably a distal portion, of the wire can be welded to the footplate. This welded embodiment of the footplate is operable to plastically deform. Alternatively, a portion, preferably a distal portion, of the wire is attached to the footplate either by a ball-and-socket mechanism/configuration, or hingedly attached to the footplate by a hinge mechanism. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate is separate from and may be hingedly attached to the wire, such as the ball-and-socket mechanism mentioned supra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the wire is attached to the footplate by a ball-and-socket configuration whereby the ball is integral to, and coaxial with, the wire, and whereby the diameter of the ball (sphere) is greater than the diameter of the wire. Further, whereby the ball is co-located with the distal end of the wire. The ball may be formed on the distal end of the wire by a method such as melting (making the wire material molten to flow into a ball, or spherical shape and then allowing the ball to cool and solidify) where the heating source may be, e.g., a laser or an induction-type heating means, or other heating source. Alternatively, the ball-shaped end may be a separate spherically-shaped part (such as a solid sphere with a through-hole) which is attachable to the distal end of the wire by such means as, e.g., crimping, rotary swaging, laser welding, or other acceptable means. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate and the wire (including a separate spherically-shaped part as the ball-end) comprise a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate and the wire (including a separate spherically-shaped ball-end) comprise a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal comprising magnesium. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate and the wire (including a separate spherically-shaped ball-end) comprise a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal comprising a magnesium alloy (e.g., Mg 9980A, Mg 9990A, Mg 9995A, AM100A, AZ63A, AZ91A, AZ91B, AZ91C, AZ92A, AZ81A, EK30A, EK41A, EZ33A, HK31A, HZ32A, KIA, ZE41A, ZH62A, ZK51A, ZK61A, AZ31B, AZ31C, AZ61A, AZ80A, HM31A, MIA, ZK21A, ZK60A, (P)ZK60B, HM21A, ZEIOA, TA54A, WE54, WE43, ZW3, AZM, AZ80, AZ31, ZM21, ZK60, and the like). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate and the wire (including a separate spherically-shaped ball-end) comprise a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal comprising a magnesium alloy comprising magnesium and a rare earth metal. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate and the wire (including a separate spherically-shaped ball-end) comprise a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal comprising a magnesium alloy comprising magnesium and at least one rare earth metal, wherein the rare earth metal is selected from the group consisting of scandium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium, among others. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate comprises a bioabsorbable polymer and the wire (including a separate spherically-shaped ball-end) comprises a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal, including the biocompatible and biocorrodible metals discussed supra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate comprises a bioabsorbable polymer (e.g., Poly-L-Lactic Acid (PLLA), Poly-Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA), and Poly-Glycolic Acid (PGA), and the like), and the wire may comprise a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal as disclosed supra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate may comprise a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal and the wire may comprise a bioabsorbable polymer, including the biocompatible and biocorrodible metals and bioabsorbable polymers as disclosed supra. 
     Embodiments of the footplate can be fabricated by using a number of manufacturing techniques. These include, but are not limited to, molding, extruding, machining, stamping, casting, forging, laser cutting and/or processing, laminating, adhesively fixing, welding, combinations thereof, among others, with effectiveness, as needed or desired. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the wire comprises a tensile element. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the wire comprises a tensile element, wherein the tensile element comprises a multifilament. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the wire comprises a tensile element, wherein the tensile element comprises a multifilament, wherein the multifilament comprises a multifilament braided section. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the wire comprises a tensile element, wherein the tensile element comprises a monofilament. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate and the wire may both comprise a bioabsorbable polymer, including the bioabsorbable polymers as disclosed supra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plug comprises a bioabsorbable polymer, including the bioabsorbable polymers as disclosed supra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plug comprises a biocompatible and biocorrodible metal, including the biocompatible and biocorrodible metals as disclosed supra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the plug is conically-shaped and comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein a diameter of the plug&#39;s distal portion is smaller than a diameter of the plug&#39;s proximal portion. 
     Embodiments of the plug can be fabricated by using a number of manufacturing techniques. These include, but are not limited to, molding, extruding, machining, deep drawing, casting, forging, laser cutting and/or processing, laminating, adhesively fixing, welding, combinations thereof, among others, with effectiveness, as needed or desired. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the closure device is biodegradable. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the footplate is formulated to biodegrade in vivo at a rate greater than the plug such that the footplate completely degrades prior to the complete degradation of the plug. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a deployment device or instrument that is easy to use, that minimizes the need for tactile manipulation, provides for a minimal number of user-induced procedural steps, requires a minimal amount of user training time (“short learning curve”) to learn how to effectively use the deployment device or instrument, and which has high precision, all of which leads to an increase in the typical user&#39;s desire to use such a deployment device or instrument, is provided. More specifically, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a deployment device or instrument with automated functionality for deploying closure devices of an embodiment of the present invention is provided. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a deployment device or instrument that utilizes a housing, at least one first bias or elastic member (e.g., coil spring, leaf spring, constant force spring, or other member or mechanism capable of storing and releasing kinetic energy), a first moveable/slidable element, and a first release mechanism (e.g., pin release, hook-and-shoulder release, cam-action release, toggle release, or other mechanism capable of releasing a component or components under a spring load), is provided. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a deployment device or instrument that utilizes a housing, at least one second bias or elastic member (e.g., coil spring, leaf spring, constant force spring, or other member or mechanism capable of storing and releasing kinetic energy), a second moveable/slidable element, and a second release mechanism (e.g., pin release, hook-and-shoulder release, toggle release, or other mechanism capable of releasing a component or components under a spring load), is provided. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a deployment device or instrument manufactured primarily of thermoplastic parts is provided, which is disposable immediately after the vascular closure device of an embodiment of the present invention has been deployed. The deployment device of an embodiment of the present invention manufactured primarily of thermoplastic parts can offer a cost effective means (via inexpensive materials) to close an opening formed in biological tissue. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system for sealing an opening formed through biological tissue (such as a percutaneously formed puncture comprising an opening formed in a wall of a blood vessel) comprising a closure device for sealing the opening and a deployment device for deploying the closure device into the opening to seal the opening, to control (or prevent or stop) bleeding (or the flow of other biological fluid or tissue), is provided. The percutaneously formed puncture further comprises a tissue tract contiguous with the opening formed in the wall of the blood vessel, which extends through the tissue to the surface of the skin overlying the blood vessel. The closure device comprises a plug, a wire, and a footplate, as described supra. The deployment device comprises: distal C-tubes comprising an outer distal C-tube and an inner distal C-tube housed within the outer distal C-tube, a skin flange assembly (a portion of which is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the wire), a housing shell, a control housing, proximal tubes comprising an outer proximal tube and an inner proximal tube, a push tube, a slide barrel assembly comprising a slide barrel and a cut-off lever, a bias member comprising a plurality of lateral constant force springs, a second bias member comprising an upper constant force spring and a lower constant force spring, a wire ferrule comprising an elongated U-shaped structure wherein the U-shaped structure comprises a closed proximal end and an open distal end, and a squeeze lever handle assembly comprising a squeeze lever handle, a button held within a retainer portion of the squeeze lever handle, wherein the button is slidable within the retainer portion, and a link. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, the footplate resides within the distal end of the outer distal C-tube. The proximal end of the footplate abuts the distal end of the inner distal C-tube. The plug is proximal to the footplate, and resides along the longitudinal axis of the wire within the distal portion of the outer proximal tube and is distally adjacent to the push tube. The wire extends proximally from the proximal end of the footplate through the inner distal C-tube, through an axial hole in the plug, and through the push tube, and attaches to an inner portion of the proximal closed end of the wire ferrule. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the distal C-tubes are concentrically nested together forming a main conduit area therethrough. The main conduit area is operable to serve as a blood marking passageway. The outer distal C-tube and an inner distal C-tube each comprise a side hole which are concentrically lined up with one another and are operable to serve as an atmospheric exit for proximal blood flow from the blood vessel through the blood marking passageway. The outer distal C-tube includes an inlet hole towards the outer distal C-tube&#39;s distal end. This inlet hole serves as an entrance to the blood marking passageway and is preferably located towards the proximal end of the footplate&#39;s pre-deployed closure device deployment position. This allows for an indication that the entire footplate is within the blood vessel. The proximal blood flow through the blood marking passageway is due to a lower pressure at the atmospheric exit than at the inlet hole. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the main conduit area is operable to serve as a deployment area for deploying the plug. The distal C-tubes are operable to locally expand and disassociate creating an irreversible un-nested condition to allow passage of the plug into the post-vascular deployment configuration and position, wherein the plug comprises a proximal diameter which is larger than an inner diameter of the main conduit area. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the distal C-tubes are operable to independently slide coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the wire. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the deployment device further comprises a guide wire lumen comprising a proximal guide wire exit and a distal guide wire entrance for insertion of a guide wire. Upon insertion of the guide wire, the guide wire extends percutaneously in a proximal direction from the lumen of a blood vessel through the percutaneously formed puncture and to the distal guide wire entrance. From the distal guide wire entrance, the guide wire extends proximally through the guide wire lumen to the proximal guide wire exit wherein the guide wire proximally exits from the guide wire lumen. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the skin flange assembly comprises a distal end and a proximal end, and is operable to distally slide along the longitudinal axis of the control housing. The proximal portion slides along the outside portion of the control housing and the distal portion slides along the outside portion of the distal C-tubes. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the control housing is partially housed by the skin flange assembly. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the proximal tubes are housed within the control housing and are operable to independently slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the slide barrel is generally distal to the position where the proximal portion of the wire attaches to the wire ferrule within the control housing. The slide barrel assembly is operable to distally slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the push tube is operable to push the plug into a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position. The push tube resides within the proximal tubes. A distal end of the push tube is adjacent to the plug. (Alternatively, the distal end of the push tube can be adjacent to an insert, which is adjacent to the plug). A proximal end of the push tube partially stretches through the slide barrel assembly, is distal to a proximal portion of a slide barrel assembly, and is underneath a cut-off lever. The proximal end of the push tube can be nested within an alignment key. The push tube is operable to distally slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire, and is operable to push the plug through the main conduit area. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the cut-off lever comprises a proximal portion that is hingedly attached by a hinge pin mechanism to the slide barrel. The cut-off lever is operable to move (hingedly movable) about the hinge pin mechanism in a perpendicular direction such that its distal end rotates up and away from the longitudinal axis of the wire. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the lateral constant force springs reside partially within the skin flange assembly and comprise a left lateral constant force spring and a right lateral constant force spring. The left lateral constant force spring and the right lateral constant force spring each comprises a flat portion and a roll spring portion. The roll spring portions of the lateral constant force springs reside at a lateral outside distal portion of the control housing (within the distal end of the skin flange assembly). A proximal end of the flat portion of the left lateral constant force spring resides within the left inside proximal portion of the skin flange assembly and is attached to the inside proximal portion of the skin flange assembly by an acceptable attachment means (e.g., screw), and extends distally along a left outside portion of the control housing to the roll spring portion of the left lateral constant force spring. A proximal end of the flat portion of the right lateral constant force spring resides within the right inside proximal portion of the skin flange assembly and is attached to the inside proximal portion of the skin flange assembly by an acceptable attachment means (e.g., screw), and extends distally along a right outside portion of the control housing to the roll spring portion of the right lateral constant force spring. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the lateral constant force springs are operable to move the skin flange portion in a distal direction by a constant distal force. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the lateral constant force springs are operable to apply a constant distal force to an outside surface of the skin, just proximal to the percutaneous puncture. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the lateral constant force springs are operable to apply a constant tensile proximal force to the wire wherein the constant tensile proximal force seats the footplate against an inside wall of the blood vessel. A datum is created at a point where the footplate is seated. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the deployment device further comprises a rotary damping system partially residing within the skin flange assembly and along an outside portion of the control housing. The rotary damping system is operable to partially resist, and not fully negate, the constant distal force created by the lateral constant force springs on the skin flange assembly. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the upper and lower constant force springs partially reside within the skin flange assembly, wherein the upper constant force spring and lower constant force spring each comprises a flat portion and a roll spring portion. A proximal end of the lower flat spring portion of the lower constant force spring is attached (by an acceptable fastening means, e.g., a screw) to a lower portion of the slide barrel, and distally extends along a lower outside portion of the control housing to the lower roll spring portion. The lower roll spring portion resides at a lower distal outside portion of the control housing (within the distal portion of the skin flange assembly). A proximal end of the upper flat spring portion of the upper constant force spring is attached (by an acceptable fastening means, e.g., a screw) to an upper portion of the slide barrel, and distally extends along an upper outside portion of the control housing to the upper roll spring portion. The upper roll spring portion resides at an upper distal outside portion of the control housing (within the distal portion of the skin flange assembly). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the upper constant force spring and the lower constant force spring are operable to move the slide barrel assembly in a distal direction by a constant distal force. The slide barrel assembly is operable to push the push tube in a distal direction by the constant distal force applied by the upper and lower constant force springs to the slide barrel. The plug is pushed percutaneously into the percutaneous puncture and into a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position (e.g., within the opening formed in the wall of the blood vessel), wherein the post-vascular closure device deployment position is controlled by the creation of the datum with the wire and the footplate in order to seal the opening formed in the wall of the blood vessel. Thus, this opening through biological tissue (e.g., formed in the wall of the blood vessel) comprising a distal or outside margin or surface, and a proximal or inside margin or surface (i.e., a wall thickness), provides a “platform” for which the closure device of an embodiment of the present invention is useful. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the wire ferrule resides within the proximal tubes and is operable to longitudinally slide along the longitudinal axis of the control housing. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the squeeze lever handle of the squeeze lever handle assembly is removably attached to the proximal end of the skin flange assembly by lateral upper hook-shaped ends. The lateral upper hook-shaped ends comprise a left upper hook-shaped end and a right upper hook-shaped end. The link of the squeeze lever handle assembly comprises an upper hook-shaped portion and a lower portion. The upper hook-shaped portion of the link is removably attachable to a lower hinge pin mechanism of the slide barrel and the lower portion of the link is attached to the squeeze lever handle by a hinge pin mechanism. 
     The deployment device can be formed from a number of suitably durable materials. In one embodiment, the deployment device is formed from a combination of suitable plastic (such as thermoplastic), and metal. In modified embodiments, other suitable plastics, metals, alloys, ceramics, or combinations thereof, among others, may be effectively utilized, as needed or desired. Suitable surface coatings or finishes may be applied, as required or desired. 
     Embodiments of the deployment device can be fabricated by using a number of manufacturing techniques. These include, but are not limited to; molding, extruding, machining, stamping, casting, forging, laser cutting and/or processing, laminating, adhesively fixing, welding, combinations thereof, among others, with effectiveness, as needed or desired. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of actuating a deployment device for purposes of automatically deploying a closure device is provided. The method employs a user-induced first squeezing action which creates automatic actuation of a first release mechanism (e.g., a hook-and-shoulder release) and simultaneously, at least one first elastic member is allowed to impart kinetic energy on a first moveable/slidable element. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of actuating a deployment device for purposes of automatically deploying a closure device is provided. The method employs a second user-induced squeezing action which creates automatic actuation of a second release mechanism (e.g., a hook-and-shoulder release) and simultaneously, at least one second elastic member is allowed to impart kinetic energy on a second movable/slidable element. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of deploying a closure device of an embodiment of the present invention to control (or prevent or stop) bleeding (or the flow of other biological fluid or tissue) by sealing or closing openings formed through biological tissue such as percutaneously formed punctures, incisions, or other openings, such as in blood vessels (e.g., an artery such as the femoral artery), organs, and the like, is provided. For example, this method can be performed at the conclusion of a diagnostic or therapeutic intravascular surgical procedure. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device for sealing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a plug, a rigid wire comprising a plastically deformable portion configurable between an unrestrained position and a restrained position relative to the plug, and a footplate attached to the wire is provided. 
     At least one of the plug, wire, and footplate can be at least partially formed of a biocorrodible metal. The biocorrodible metal can comprise magnesium or a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy can comprise AZ31. 
     The plug of the closure device can comprise a first portion having a first dimension and a second portion having a second dimension that is greater than the first dimension. The footplate can be positioned distally to the first portion of the plug and the deformable portion can be positioned proximally to the second portion of the plug. 
     The plug can comprise a distal surface and a proximal surface, wherein an area of the plug&#39;s distal surface is smaller than an area of the plug&#39;s proximal surface. The wire of the closure device can be in the restrained position, and contain a plastically deformed bend that is positioned in secure engagement with the proximal surface of the plug. The wire can comprise a longitudinal axis, and the plastically deformed bend can be bent at about a 30 to 90 degree angle from the longitudinal axis. 
     The plug can also be substantially t-shaped, substantially conically-shaped, or substantially bugle-shaped. The plug can include a passageway through which the wire extends, and the plug can be movable along the wire. 
     The footplate of the closure device can be a substantially looped distal portion of the wire. The footplate can comprise an elongated plate portion attached to a distal end of the wire, and an aperture formed therethrough. The footplate can comprise an elongated plate portion comprising a socket, wherein a distal end of the wire is captured by the socket. The distal end of the wire can be substantially spherically shaped. The footplate can comprise a longitudinally shaped plate portion that is hingedly attached to the distal end of the wire. 
     The wire of the closure device can be a tensile element selected from the group consisting of a monofilament and a multifilament. 
     The footplate and plug can be biodegradable. The footplate can be operable, or adapted, to biodegrade at a rate greater than that of the plug, such that the footplate completely biodegrades prior to the complete biodegradation of the plug. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device deployment device comprising (a) a housing extending along a longitudinal axis, (b) at least one bias member adapted to exert a bias force, (c) a first sliding member connected to the bias member so that the bias force is applied to the sliding member, and (d) a bias member release mechanism moveable between a first position and a second position so that the first sliding member is constrained with respect to the housing when the bias member release mechanism is in the first position is provided. Also, the bias member release mechanism is moveable between a first position and a second position so that the first sliding member is slidable along the direction of the longitudinal axis when the bias member release mechanism is in the second position, wherein the bias force actuates the first sliding member to slide along the direction of the longitudinal axis when the bias member release mechanism is in the second position. The closure device can be a footplate extending along an elongated plane. 
     The deployment device can further comprise at least a first distal C-tube interconnected to the elongated housing. The first distal C-tube can comprise a pivot point adapted to actuate the footplate from an elongated planar position parallel to the longitudinal axis to an elongated planar position substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     The deployment device can further comprise a second distal C-tube interconnected to the housing, wherein the first distal C-tube is concentrically housed within the second distal C-tube forming a main conduit area therethrough. The closure device can comprise a plug, wherein the plug is movable through the main conduit area. The outer distal C-tube can further comprise an elongated guidewire lumen attached thereto. The second distal C-tube can comprise an inlet aperture that is operable, or adapted, to allow biological fluid from the biological tissue to proximally flow into the main conduit area. 
     Each of the first and second distal C-tubes can comprise an outlet aperture which are concentrically aligned and are operable, or adapted, to serve as an atmospheric exit for the proximal flow of the biological fluid. Each of the inner and outer distal C-tubes can be adapted to locally expand and disassociate from one another to allow the movement of the plug through the main conduit area. Each of the inner and outer distal C-tubes can be adapted to independently coaxially slide along the longitudinal axis. 
     The at least one bias member can comprise a lateral constant force spring comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion. The first sliding member can comprise a skin flange assembly, wherein the proximal end of the lateral constant force spring is interconnected to the skin flange assembly. The lateral constant force spring can be adapted to displace the skin flange assembly in a distal direction when the bias member release mechanism is in the second position. The skin flange assembly can further comprise at least one proximal portion, wherein at least one proximal portion of the skin flange assembly further comprises a proximal end including the bias member release point, wherein the bias member release point further comprises an undercut portion. The bias member release mechanism can further comprise a handle interconnected to the housing comprising at least one hooked shaped end, the at least one hooked shaped end is configured to selectively engage the undercut portion. 
     The at least one bias member can comprise a constant force spring comprising a proximal end and a distal end selected from the group consisting of an upper constant force spring and a lower constant force spring. The first sliding member can comprise a slide barrel, wherein the proximal end of the constant force spring is interconnected to the slide barrel. The slide barrel can further comprise a bottom portion including the bias member release point, wherein the bias member release point can further comprise a hinge pin. The bias member release mechanism can further comprise a squeeze lever handle assembly interconnected to the housing comprising a link having a hooked shaped end, the hooked shaped end being configured to selectively disengage from the hinge pin. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device comprising a rigid plastically deformable wire extending along a longitudinal axis and having a proximal portion and a distal end, a footplate extending along an elongated plane and located at the distal end of the wire pivotable between a first position where the elongated plane is at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second position where the elongated plane is not substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a substantially rigid plug adapted to move along the wire from the proximal portion to the distal end to a position adjacent to the footplate in the second position is provided. The footplate can be unitary with the wire, and the footplate and wire can be constructed as separate pieces. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device for sealing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a plug, a wire, and a footplate, wherein at least one of the plug, the wire, and the footplate is at least partially formed of a biocorrodible metal, is provided. The biocorrodible metal can comprise magnesium or a magnesium alloy. The magnesium alloy can comprise AZ31. The plug can be at least partially formed of a first magnesium alloy and the footplate can be at least partially formed of a second magnesium alloy, wherein the first magnesium alloy and the second magnesium alloy are different magnesium alloys. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device for sealing an opening formed through biological tissue comprising a plug, a wire, a footplate, and a connection mechanism adapted to connect the wire and the footplate together. The connection mechanism comprises a substantially spherically shaped ball portion, and a socket portion adapted to capture the ball portion. The ball portion can be connected to the footplate and the socket portion can be connected to the wire. Alternatively, the ball portion can be connected to the wire and the socket portion can be connected to the footplate. The footplate can be rotatable with respect to the wire about at least a first and a second axis. The footplate can be rotatable with respect to the wire about more than two axes. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a closure device deployment device comprising a housing extending along a longitudinal axis, a first distal C-Tube interconnected to the housing, a second distal C-tube interconnected to the housing, wherein the first distal C-tube is concentrically housed within the second distal C-tube forming a main conduit area therethrough, and each of the first and second distal C-tubes are adapted to independently coaxially slide along the longitudinal axis. The closure device can comprise a plug, wherein the plug is movable through the main conduit area. Each of the inner and outer distal C-tubes can be adapted to locally expand and disassociate from one another to allow the movement of the plug through the main conduit area. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1   a - 1   p  are perspective views of footplates according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   a  shows a fully assembled right side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a partially exposed right side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a partially exposed right side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 3   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view of a distal portion of the of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 4   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5   a - 5   f  are perspective views of the plug, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   a  is a partially exposed right side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   b  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 6   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6   c  is a partially exposed right side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7   a  is a partially exposed top side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7   b  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 7   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7   c  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 7   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a partially exposed distal portion of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9   a  is a perspective view of a distal portion of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9   b  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 9   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9   c  is a cutaway perspective view of the distal end of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9   d  is a perspective view showing the local expansion of a portion of the distal C-Tubes while allowing passage of the plug therethrough, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10   a  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10   b  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 10   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15   a  is a partially exposed right side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15   b  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 15   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17   a  is a partially exposed right side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17   b  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a partially exposed rear side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a right side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a top side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21   b  is a top side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 21   c  and  21   d  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 21   a , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22   b  is a top side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 22   c  and  22   d  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 22   b , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22   e  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 22   a , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23   b  is a top side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 23   c  and  23   d  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 23   b , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23   e  is a magnified window view of a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 23   a , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 24   b  is a top side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 24   c - 24   f  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 24   b , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 25   b  is a top side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 25   c - 25   d  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 25   b , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26   b  is a top side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 26   d  and  26   f  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 26   a , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26   g  is a magnified vertical cross-sectional view through a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 26   a , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 26   c  and  26   e  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 26   b , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 27  is a left side perspective view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 28   b  is an under side perspective view of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29   b  is a top side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 29   d ,  29   e  and  29   f  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 29   a , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 29   c  is a magnified vertical cross-sectional view through a portion of the deployment device of  FIG. 29   a , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 30   a  is a right side cross-sectional view of a partially exposed section of the deployment device, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 30   b - 30   c  are magnified window views of portions of the deployment device of  FIG. 30   a , according to embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 31-41  show the sequential steps in the use of the deployment device to deploy the closure device to seal an opening formed through a blood vessel, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 42-43  show a closure device in a sealing relationship with the opening formed through a blood vessel (i.e., post-closure device deployment configuration and position), according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, closure device  100  comprising a footplate  110  (the footplate may include any of the embodiments of the footplate, as discussed infra), a plug  111 , and a wire  120  is provided and can be used to seal or close an opening formed through biological tissue, such as a percutaneously formed puncture (the puncture comprises the opening formed through the wall of the blood vessel and a tissue tract contiguous with the opening formed through the biological tissue, which extends through the tissue and to skin overlying the blood vessel), an incision, or some other type of opening formed through biological tissue, such as a blood vessel, organ, or the like, to control (or prevent or stop) bleeding (or the flow of other biological fluid or tissue). For example, the closure device  100  of an embodiment of the present invention can be used to seal an arteriotomy, which is an opening or incision in an artery, such as the femoral artery, and is formed in conjunction with a percutaneously formed puncture (an open tissue tract through the skin and tissue just above the blood vessel) by a clinician during a diagnostic or therapeutic intravascular surgical procedure. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the closure device  100  may be in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position or in a post-vascular closure device deployment configuration and position. A pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position includes a configuration and position where the closure device  100  resides within a deployment device  200  of an embodiment of the present invention (which is used to deploy the closure device  100  into, e.g., an opening in the wall of a blood vessel, to seal the blood vessel to stop blood from flowing through the opening). A post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position includes a configuration and position where the closure device  100  resides within and through the opening in the wall of the blood vessel. 
     The closure device  100 , the pre- and post-deployed closure device deployment configurations and positions, the deployment device  200 , and the method of deploying the closure device  100  to seal an opening in the wall of a blood vessel, with reference to the figures, is more fully described infra. 
     Referring now to the drawings where like numbers refer to like parts throughout,  FIG. 1   a  shows a footplate  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a footplate  110  in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein the footplate  110  is within a distal end of a deployment device  200  (not shown). The footplate  110  comprises a unitary length of a distal portion of the wire  120  (monolithic structure) bent into an elongated configuration presenting an elongated U-shaped loop  30 . The elongated U-shaped loop  30  comprises an open proximal end  101 , a closed distal end  102 , and a pair of longitudinally laterally spaced extending legs  31 ,  32 . The closed distal end  102  and pair of longitudinally laterally spaced extending legs  31 ,  32  are substantially coplanar in a common plane and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the control housing  210  of the deployment device  200 . The closed distal end  102  of the elongated U-shaped loop  30  defines a longitudinal distal end of the bent wire elongated configuration. The pair of longitudinally-extending laterally spaced legs  31 ,  32  of the elongated U-shaped loop comprises a free leg  31 , having a free proximal end located at the open proximal end of the elongated U-shaped loop  101 , and a connecting leg  32 . A helically shaped connecting portion  33  connects to the wire  120 . The helically shaped connecting portion  33  is operable to permanently (plastically) deform at a bending region. The wire  120  is axial to a longitudinal axis of the control housing  210 . The wire  120  is proximal to the footplate  110 , and the helically shaped connecting portion  33  extends between a joining leg  34  (which is substantially coplanar with the longitudinally-extending laterally spaced legs  31 ,  32 ) and the wire  120  at the open proximal end  101  of the elongated U-shaped loop  30 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   b , the footplate  110  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows the footplate  110  (of  FIG. 1   a ) in a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein a portion of the footplate  110  is seated against an inside wall of a blood vessel (e.g., an artery, not shown) under a percutaneous puncture therein (not shown). The helically shaped connecting portion  33  comprises a bending region, wherein the bending region is permanently (plastically) deformed. The closed end  102  and pair of longitudinally laterally spaced extending legs  31 ,  32  remain substantially coplanar in a common plane, and are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the puncture and substantially parallel to a plane of the inside wall of the blood vessel. The wire  120  extends proximally from the helically shaped connecting portion  33  through the opening in the wall of the blood vessel to the tissue tract wherein the wire  120  is axial to the longitudinal axis of the puncture (prior to being cut and bent by the deployment device  200 ). 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   c , a footplate according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows a footplate  110 ′ in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein the footplate  110 ′ is within the distal end of a deployment device  200  (not shown). The footplate  110 ′ comprises a unitary length of a distal portion of the wire  120  (monolithic structure) bent into an elongated configuration presenting an elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′. The elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′ comprises an open distal end  102 ′, a closed proximal end  101 ′, and a pair of longitudinally laterally spaced extending legs  31 ′,  32 ′. The closed proximal end  101 ′ of the elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′ defines a longitudinal proximal end of the bent wire elongated configuration. The pair of longitudinally-extending laterally spaced legs of the elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′ comprise a free leg  31 ′ having a free distal end located at the open distal end  102 ′ of the elongated U-shaped loop  30 , and a connecting leg  32 ′. An arcuately-curved connecting portion  33 ′, and a medial leg  34 ′ comprising a bending region are shown. The arcuately-curved connecting portion  33 ′ extends between the connecting leg  32 ′ and the medial leg  34 ′ at the open distal end  102 ′, defining a longitudinal distal end of the bent wire configuration. The elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′ and the arcuately-curved connecting portion  33 ′ are substantially coplanar in a common plane and axial to a longitudinal axis of the control housing  210  of the deployment device  200 . The arcuately-curved connecting portion  33 ′ medially curves toward the connecting leg  32 ′ to the medial leg  34 ′, in between the free leg  31 ′ and the connecting leg  32 ′. Each of the free leg  31 ′ and the connecting leg  32 ′ is secured to a distal portion of the medial leg by a spot weld  35 . The spot weld  35  may comprise an electron beam spot weld or a laser spot weld. The distal end of the free leg ends at a point where the free leg is spot welded to the medial leg  34 ′ (but could be longer or shorter). The medial leg  34 ′ extends proximally toward and under (but could extend over) the closed proximal end  101 ′, and extends beyond the closed proximal end  101 ′ at an angle from the common plane to the wire  120 , wherein the wire  120  is proximal to the footplate  110 ′. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   d , the footplate  110 ′ according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows the footplate  110 ′ of  FIG. 1   c  in a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein a portion of the footplate  110 ′ is seated against an inside wall of a blood vessel (e.g., an artery, not shown) under a percutaneous puncture therein (not shown). The bending region (preferably at the proximal margin of the spot weld  35  in the medial leg  34 ′) is permanently (plastically) deformed. The elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′ and the arcuately-curved connecting portion  33 ′ remain substantially coplanar in a common plane, and are substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the puncture and substantially parallel to a plane of the inside wall of the blood vessel. The wire  120  extends proximally from the bending region through the opening in the wall of the blood vessel and inside the tissue tract wherein the wire  120  is axial to the longitudinal axis of the puncture (prior to being cut and bent by the deployment device  200 ). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1   e - 1   f , a footplate  710  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. These embodiments of the footplate are similar to the footplates illustrated in  FIGS. 1   c - 1   d , respectively, except for free leg  731  and spot weld  735 . As shown in  FIG. 1   e  and  FIG. 1   f , free leg  731  comprises a hooked distal end, and the spot weld  735  only secures medial leg  734  to connecting leg  732 . An elongated U-shaped loop  730 , a proximal  1101  and distal end  1102 , and an arcuately-curved connecting portion  733  are also shown. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   g , a footplate  810  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment shows a footplate  810  in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein the footplate  810  is within a distal end of a deployment device  200  (not shown). The footplate  810  is a longitudinally shaped block or bar  837 . The bar  837  comprises longitudinal aperture  840 , a top arcuately-shaped surface  838 , a bottom arcuately-shaped surface (not shown) (alternatively, the top and bottom surfaces can be substantially planar), a peripheral side surface  839 , a proximal end  2101  and a distal end  2102 . The wire  120  is connected to the bar  837  by a flat or coined distal end  836  (preferably welded), which is connected to the distal portion  2102  of the top arcuately-shaped surface  838  of the bar  837  (could also be connected to the bottom arcuately-shaped surface). The coined distal end  836  proximally extends to a medial portion  834 , which proximally extends through the aperture  840  and under (but could extend over) the proximal end  2101 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   h , the footplate  810  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows the footplate  810  of  FIG. 1   g  in a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein a portion of the footplate  810  is seated against an inside wall of a blood vessel (e.g., an artery, not shown) under a percutaneous puncture therein (not shown). The medial portion  834  comprises a bending region wherein the bending region is permanently (plastically) deformed. The medial portion  834  proximally extends through the aperture  840 . The wire  120  extends proximally from the medial portion  834  through the opening in the wall of the blood vessel to the tissue tract, wherein the wire  120  is coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the puncture (not shown) (prior to being cut and bent by the deployment device  200 ). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1   i - 1   j , a footplate  1010  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. These embodiments of the footplate are similar to the footplates illustrated in  FIGS. 1   g - 1   h , respectively, except for the distal end  1036  of the wire  120 . The distal end  1036  is neither flattened nor coined (but is left as the same circular cross-section as the remainder of the wire). The wire  120  is affixed (preferably welded) on both sides along the longitudinal interface between the distal portion of the wire  120  and the arcuately-shaped top surface  1038  at the distal end  4102  of the bar  1037  of the footplate  1010 . A proximal end  4101 , a medial portion  1034 , an aperture  1040 , and a peripheral side surface  1039  are also shown. 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   k , a top perspective view of footplate  910  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment shows a footplate  910  in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein the footplate  910  is within a distal end of a deployment device  200  (not shown). The footplate  910  comprises a longitudinally shaped block or bar  937 . The bar  937  comprises a top substantially planar surface  938 , a bottom substantially planar surface (not shown), a peripheral side surface  939 , a proximal end  3101  and a distal end  3102 . The wire  120  is connected to the bar  937  by a ball-shaped end  936 , which is connected to a socket  941  of the top planar surface  938  of the bar  937  (could also be connected to the bottom planar surface). The socket  941  is shaped like a “C” to allow for the actuation of the footplate  910 , as shown in  FIG. 1   l . A portion of the wire  120  may sit in an arcuately-shaped depressed section  942  of the top surface  938  of the bar  937 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 11 , a bottom perspective view of the footplate  910  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment shows the footplate  910  of  FIG. 1   i  in a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein a portion of the footplate  910  is seated against an inside wall of a blood vessel (e.g., an artery, not shown) under a percutaneous puncture therein (not shown). There is no bending region in this embodiment of the footplate  910 . The bar  937  is operable to rotate pursuant to the ball  936  and socket  941  configuration/mechanism. This establishes a rotation point with the proximal end  3101  rotating down and in the distal direction and the distal end  3102  rotating up (could alternatively rotate in the opposite direction with an alternative configuration) and in the proximal direction about the established rotation point.  FIG. 11  shows the footplate  910  in its fully actuated or rotated position. The wire  120  extends proximally from the ball  936  through the opening in the wall of the blood vessel to the tissue tract, wherein the wire  120  is axial to the longitudinal axis of the puncture (not shown) (prior to being cut and bent by the deployment device  200 ). A bottom substantially planar surface  943  is shown, which may further comprise a protruding section comprising the bottom portion of the depressed section  942  of the top surface  938  of the bar  937 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   m , a top perspective view of footplate  1110  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment shows a footplate  1110  in a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein the footplate  1110  is within a distal end of a deployment device  200  (not shown). The footplate  1110  comprises a longitudinally shaped block or bar  1137 . The bar  1137  is “y-shaped” and comprises a top substantially planar surface  1138 , a bottom substantially planar surface  1143  (not shown), a peripheral side surface  1139 , a proximal end  5101 , a distal end  5102  and two proximally extending substantially coplanar legs  1144  and  1145  (not shown) which are separated by a slot  1146 . The wire  120  is connected to the bar  1137  by a hinge mechanism comprising a hooked shaped end  1136 , which is connected to a half-circled portion  1141  that is attached to the top substantially planar surface  1138  of the bar  1137  (could also be connected to the bottom planar surface). 
     Turning to  FIG. 1   n , a bottom perspective view of footplate  1110  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment shows the footplate  1110  of  FIG. 1   m  in a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, wherein a portion of the footplate  1110  is seated against an inside wall of a blood vessel (e.g., an artery, not shown) under a percutaneous puncture therein (not shown). There is no bending region in this embodiment of the footplate  1110 . The bar  1137  is operable to rotate pursuant to the hinge mechanism, which establishes a rotation point, with the proximal end  5101  rotating down and in the distal direction and the distal end  5102  rotating up and in the proximal direction, about the established rotation point (could alternatively rotate in the opposite direction with an alternative configuration).  FIG. 1   n  shows the footplate  1110  in its fully actuated or rotated position. The wire  120  extends proximally through the opening in the wall of the blood vessel to the tissue tract, wherein the wire  120  is axial to the longitudinal axis of the puncture (not shown) (prior to being cut and bent by the deployment device  200 ). A bottom substantially planar surface  1143  is also shown. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1   o - 1   p , a footplate  1210  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. These embodiments of the footplate are similar to the footplate embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1   m - 1   n , respectively, except for the hook-shaped distal end  1236  of the wire  120  and its attachment through an aperture  1241  and slot  1246 . The hooked-shaped distal end  1236  is attached to the bar  1237  through an aperture  1241 . The hooked-shaped distal end  1236  stretches through the aperture  1241  from the bottom substantially planar surface  1243  to the top substantially planar surface  1238 , and then hooks through the slot  1246  thereby securing the footplate  1210  to the wire  120 . A bar  1237 , a distal end  6102  and a proximal end  6101 , a top substantially planar surface  1238 , a bottom substantially planar surface  1243 , a peripheral side surface  1239 , two proximally extending substantially coplanar legs  1244  and  1245 , a slot  1246 , and a wire  120 , are also shown. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the deployment device  200  with the closure device  100  of an embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the figures. References regarding the footplate are specifically made to footplate  110 ′, as an example of a footplate that may be used. However, it is to be understood that any footplate embodiment including those referenced supra, may be used in place of footplate  110 ′. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2   a - 4   b , right side views ( FIG. 2   a  shows a fully assembled deployment device  200 , and  FIGS. 2   b ,  3  and  4  are partially exposed views of the deployment device  200 , i.e., missing parts to reveal other parts of the deployment device  200 ) of a deployment device  200 , with a proximal end  10  and a distal end  20 , according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, prior to deployment into a vessel that requires sealing, the footplate  110 ′ is located at the distal end  20  of a deployment device  200  and resides within an outer distal C-tube  201 , while the remainder of the wire  120  is located proximally to the distal footplate  110 ′ within the deployment device  200  ending at a wire ferrule  250  (see  FIG. 7   a , which is described infra). The footplate  110 ′ is in an axial position relative to the longitudinal axis of the control housing  210  of the deployment device  200 . The footplate&#39;s  110 ′ proximal end  101  abuts the distal end of an inner distal C-tube  202 , as described infra (see  FIGS. 4   a - 4   b ). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 5   a - f , a plug  111  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. These embodiments show a plug  111  that is conically-shaped and comprises a distal portion (or end)  104  and a proximal portion (or end)  103 , wherein a diameter of the plug&#39;s distal portion  104  is smaller than a diameter of the plug&#39;s proximal portion  103 . The diameter of the plug  111  at its largest point is greater than the diameter of the main conduit area  205  of the deployment device, as discussed infra. Turning to  FIG. 5   a , a right side view of the plug  111  is shown. Turning to  FIG. 5   b , a top side view of the plug  111  is shown. Turning to  FIG. 5   c , a left side inverted view of the plug  111  is shown. Turning to  5   d , a front side view of the plug  111  with a lumen  105  is shown. Turning to  FIG. 5   e , a bottom side view of the plug  111  is shown. Turning to  FIG. 5   f , a rear side view of the plug  111  with a lumen  105  is shown. One or more “cutouts” or “cavities” may be provided in the distal end of the plug to allow nesting of the plug  111  with the footplate  110 ′ and wire  120 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Also, one or more “cutouts” or “cavities” may be provided in the proximal end of the plug  111  to allow the insert  112  (see  FIG. 10   b ) in the distal end of a push tube  212  to maintain rotational control of the plug  111  with respect to the footplate  110 ′, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention contemplate a plug  111  with various combinations of “cutouts” or without any “cutouts”. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c , a partially exposed right side view of a deployment device  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, prior to deployment into a vessel that requires sealing (i.e., a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position), the plug  111  is located proximally to the footplate  110 ′ and along the longitudinal axis of the wire  120 . The plug  111  is distally adjacent to the push tube  212 , inside a distal portion of an outer proximal tube  211  (which is inside a control housing  210 ) of the deployment device  200 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 7   a - 7   c , a partially exposed top view of the deployment device according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows the location of the wire  120  within the deployment device  200 . The wire  120  stretches from the footplate  110 ′ through a longitudinally axial hole  105  (not shown) in the plug  111  in a distal to proximal direction. The wire  120  stretches from the footplate  110 ′ through an inner distal C-tube  202  (not shown), and a sheer tube  224  (within the push tube  212 ), to the inner proximal end of a wire ferrule  250 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a pre-deployed closure device deployment configuration (default configuration) of the deployment device  200  of an embodiment of the present invention will be described generally from its distal end  20  to its proximal end  10 , infra. Generally, in appropriate figures, acceptable fastening means (e.g., screws) are labeled with the number  226  and washers are labeled with the number  214 . The method of use of the deployment device  200 , and the closure device  100  in its post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, will be described infra. 
     Turning back to  FIGS. 2   a - 2   b , these embodiments show a deployment device  200  comprising an outer distal C-tube  201 . The outer distal C-tube&#39;s  201  distal end comprises a narrowed nose or tip portion  203 . This nose portion  203  of the outer distal C-tube  201  is the portion of the deployment device which houses the footplate  110 ′ (not shown). The remainder of the outer distal C-tube  201  houses an inner distal C-tube  202  (see  FIG. 8 ), comprising a longitudinal opening  204  in its bottom portion, and the wire  120 . These distal C-tubes are concentrically nested together forming a main conduit area  205 , which is described infra. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 8 ,  9   a - 9   c , distal views of the deployment device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention are illustrated.  FIG. 9   b  shows the entrance—inlet hole  406 —to a main conduit area  205  (see  FIG. 9   c ) formed by the outer distal C-tube  201  and inner distal C-tube  202 , which serves as a blood marking passageway. The inlet hole  406  resides toward the outer distal C-tube&#39;s  201  distal end. Further, the outer distal C-tube  201  and inner distal C-tube  202  each contains a side hole  206  (an atmospheric exit) which are concentrically aligned with one another. The side hole  206  is proximal to the footplate  110 ′ and distal to the plug  111  (not shown). The side hole  206  is operable to serve as an atmospheric exit for proximal blood flow flowing from the blood vessel and into the inlet hole  406 , and through the blood marking passageway  205 . This proximal blood flow that exits the side hole  206  indicates that the footplate and distal portion of the deployment device  200  have entered the blood vessel (not shown, which is described infra). The main conduit area  205  additionally is operable to serve as a deployment area for deploying the plug  111 , wherein the distal C-tubes are operable to locally expand and disassociate creating an irreversible un-nested condition to allow passage of the plug  111  into a post-vascular deployment configuration and position (see  FIG. 9   d ). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,  FIGS. 9   a  &amp;  9   b  are views of the distal portion of the deployment device  200  and  FIG. 9   c  is a cut-away view of the distal portion of the deployment device  200 , which shows the nested configuration of the outer distal C-tube  201  (including the guidewire lumen  300 ) and the inner distal C-tube  202 , which together form the blood marking passageway  205 , and a passageway in which the wire  120  nests, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The outer distal C-tube  201  comprises a guide wire lumen  300  (see  FIG. 9   c ) comprising a proximal guide wire exit  207  (see  FIG. 9   a ) and a distal guide wire entrance  301  (see  FIGS. 9   b  &amp;  9   c ) for insertion of a guide wire (not shown). The proximal guide wire exit  207  is proximal to the footplate  110 ′ and distal to the plug&#39;s  111  pre-deployed closure device deployment position. The distal guide wire entrance  301  is located at the most distal point (at the distal nose portion  203 ) of the deployment device  200 . 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the outer distal C-tube  201  and inner distal C-tube  202  can move independently of one another in the longitudinal direction, i.e., the distal C-tubes are operable to independently slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire  120  (e.g., to allow and to assist in the actuation of the footplate  110 ′ to a substantially perpendicular position relative to the longitudinal axis of the control housing  210  once inside the lumen of the artery, as will be discussed infra). 
     Turning to  FIG. 10   a - 10   b , a partially exposed right side view of the deployment device  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventions is illustrated. This embodiment shows that the proximal ends of the outer distal C-tube  201  and inner distal C-tube  202  end just within an outer proximal tube  211  (the inner distal C-tube  202  ends at a retainer ring  325  (see  FIG. 11 , which is described infra) and slightly more proximally than the outer distal C-tube  201 , which ends at a ring retainer  324  (see  FIG. 11 ). The outer proximal tube  211  is surrounded by a control housing  210 , which is in turn partially surrounded by a skin flange assembly  222  (not shown) comprising a distal portion  221  and a proximal portion  303  (see  FIG. 2   b ). The skin flange assembly  222  (not shown) is operable to distally slide along a longitudinal axis of the wire  120 , and along an outside portion of the control housing  210  and an outside portion of the distal C-tubes. The plug  111  is distally adjacent to an insert  112  and the distal end of a push tube  212 , which mainly resides directly within an inner proximal tube  213  (which resides within the outer proximal tube  211 , etc.) which stretches in the proximal direction to about the proximal end  10  of the deployment device  200  (see  FIGS. 6   a - 6   b ). The proximal tubes are operable to independently slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire  120 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 11-13 , partially exposed right side views of the deployment device  200  of an embodiment of the present invention are illustrated. This embodiment shows the push tube  212 , which resides within the proximal tubes ( 211 ,  213 ) and is surrounded by a ring retainer  325  at its distal end, and is cradled by an alignment key  326  at its proximal end. The push tube  212  extends proximally from the push tube insert  112  (which is affixed to the distal end of the push tube  212  by an appropriate means such as a weld) through a washer  214  (which is welded to the push tube  212  and whose proximal surface is adjacent to the distal end of a slide barrel  215 ), and protrudes through the main body of the slide barrel  215  such that its most proximal tip is approximately adjacent to the most proximal end of the slide barrel. At its distal end on the top, the push tube  212  has an opening  219  (which is a slot) that extends in a proximal direction from a point just slightly proximal of the distal tip of the push tube  212 . Concentrically contained within the push tube  212  is a shear tube  224  which extends in a proximal direction from the push tube insert&#39;s  112  angled proximal surface  350  (see  FIG. 30   c ) back to its most proximal end (slightly proximal of the most proximal end of the push tube  212 ). The proximal end of the shear tube  224  has a cap  216  affixed to it. The push tube  212  and the shear tube  224  are operable to distally slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire  120 . The push tube  212  is operable to push the plug  111  through the main conduit area  205  into its post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position as is discussed infra. The shear tube  224  (in conjunction with the push tube insert  112 ) is operable to both bend and shear-off the wire  120  into its post-vascular closure deployment configuration, as described infra. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 14-16 , a partially exposed right side view of the deployment device  200  (shown in the default position) according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, constant force springs comprising a plurality of lateral constant force springs, comprising a left lateral constant force spring  125  and a right lateral constant force spring  125 , are provided. The lateral constant force springs  125  (left and right) each comprise a flat portion  227  and a roll spring portion  228 . The roll spring portion  228  of each of the lateral constant force springs  125  (left and right) resides (nests) partially within the distal portion of the control housing  210 , on the left and right side respectively (see  FIG. 15   a ) and is covered by (contained within) the distal portion  221  of the skin flange assembly  222  (see  FIG. 14 ). The flat portion  227  of the lateral constant force springs  125  (left and right) stretches flatly along the outside of the control housing  210  (on the left and right sides respectively) in a proximal direction from the roll spring portion  228 , to the inside proximal portion  303  of the right and left sides (respectively) of the skin flange assembly  222  where they are fastened by an acceptable fastening means  226  (see  FIG. 14 ). The lateral constant force springs are operable to move the skin flange assembly  222  in a distal direction by a constant distal force. The lateral constant force springs are also operable to apply a constant distal force to an outside surface of a patient&#39;s skin. Further, the lateral constant force springs are operable to apply a constant tensile proximal force to the wire  120 . This constant tensile proximal force seats the footplate  110 ′ against an inside wall  403  (not shown) of a blood vessel, wherein a datum is created at a point where the footplate  110 ′ is seated, as discussed infra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, constant force springs comprising an upper and lower constant force spring  135 , each comprising a flat portion  230  and a roll spring portion  229 , are provided. The roll spring portions  229  of the upper and lower constant force springs  135  reside (nest) on the outside (on the top and bottom) of the distal end of the control housing  210 , and are covered (contained within) the distal portion  221  of the skin flange assembly  222  (see  FIG. 14 ). The flat portions  230  of the upper and lower constant force springs  135  extend proximally from the respective roll spring portions  229  (within the distal portion of the control housing  210 ) and stretch flatly along the outside of the control housing  210  (on the top and bottom respectively), and are fastened by an acceptable fastening means (e.g., a screw  226  and washer  214 ) to about the middle portion (top and bottom, respectively) of the slide barrel  215  (see  FIG. 16 ). The upper and lower constant force springs  135  are operable to move the slide barrel  215  in a distal direction by application of a constant distal force to the slide barrel  215 . The slide barrel  215  is operable to advance the push tube  212  in a distal direction by the constant distal force applied by the upper and lower constant force springs  135  to the slide barrel  215 , wherein the plug  111  is pushed percutaneously into a percutaneous puncture (see  FIG. 39 ) and into a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position. This post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position is controlled by the creation of the datum (as discussed infra) with the wire  120  and the footplate  110 ′, in order to seal the opening in the wall of the blood vessel. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 17   a ,  17   b , and  18 , the proximal end  10  (partially exposed right rear side and rear view) of the deployment device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows a squeeze lever handle assembly  231  of the deployment device  200 . The squeeze lever handle assembly  231  comprises a squeeze lever handle  232 , a button  233  held within a retainer plate  234  of the squeeze lever handle  232 , and a link  235 . The button  233  is slidable within the retainer portion  234 . The link  235  is removably attached at its proximal end (by an upwardly hook-shaped portion or C-feature  266 , not shown) to the bottom part (by a hinge pin  256 , not shown) of the slide barrel  215  (which transfers mechanical energy to, and creates distal movement of, the slide barrel, upon the squeezing of the squeeze lever handle  232 , described infra). The link  235  is attached at the other end (lower portion) to the squeeze lever handle  232  by a hinge pin mechanism  236 . The squeeze lever handle  232  is removably attached to the proximal portion  303  of the skin flange assembly  222  (on both the left and right sides of the device) by lateral upper hook-shaped ends  237 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 19 , an exposed right side view of components interlocated in the proximal portion of the deployment device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows a slide barrel assembly comprising a slide barrel  215 , and a cut-off lever  218  that comprises a proximal portion which is hingedly attached by a hinge pin mechanism  238  to the slide barrel  215 . A distal portion of the cut-off lever  218  is hingedly movable about the hinge pin mechanism  238  in a perpendicular direction away from the longitudinal axis of the wire  120  (not shown). The slide barrel  215  is distal to where the proximal end of the wire  120  (not shown) attaches to the wire ferrule  250  and is contained within the control housing  210  (not shown). The slide barrel assembly is operable to distally slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire  120  (not shown). 
     Turning to  FIG. 20 , an exposed top view of components interlocated in the proximal portion of the deployment device  200  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. This embodiment shows the wire ferrule  250 , which comprises an elongated U-shaped structure. The elongated U-shaped structure comprises a closed proximal end  251  and an open distal end  252 . The wire ferrule  250  resides within the inner proximal tube  213  (not shown) and is operable to longitudinally slide along the longitudinal axis of the wire  120  (not shown). Protruding through the right-side proximal end of the wire ferrule  250  is a release shaft  239  that extends distally to about the proximal end of the slide barrel  215 . Also shown, at the most proximal end  10  of the deployment device  200  is a proximal control housing cap  240 , that has two laterally spaced cap fingers (right cap finger  241 , left cap finger  242 ) extending from the proximal control housing cap&#39;s  240  distal inner surface. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, at the conclusion of a diagnostic or therapeutic intravascular surgical procedure, a closure device  100  of an embodiment of the present invention is deployed by a deployment device  200  of an embodiment of the present invention to control (or stop or prevent) the bleeding by plugging or sealing the arteriotomy (the method of deployment is described, infra). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, following a intravascular surgical procedure, a guide wire  299  (as shown in  FIG. 31   a ) is preferably left in the site of the arteriotomy (vessel wall is shown by number  401 ) after the operating cannula is removed by the clinician. (Alternatively, a new guide wire  299  may be inserted into the arteriotomy). This guide wire  299  extends distally from its exposed portion  307  (outside the patient&#39;s body), to its unexposed portion  306  (inside the patient&#39;s body), i.e., through the skin puncture  397  of the patient&#39;s skin  399 , through the tissue tract  407 , through the arteriotomy  405 , and into the lumen  404  of the blood vessel  400 , as described supra. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of sealing an opening (an arteriotomy) formed in the wall  401  of a blood vessel  400  (e.g., an artery such as the femoral artery, where the opening in the wall of the blood vessel was percutaneously formed in conjunction with a tissue tract contiguous with the opening and extending proximally through subcutaneous tissue and through the surface of the skin overlying the blood vessel (the percutaneous puncture) (see  FIG. 31   a ), by a clinician during a diagnostic or therapeutic intravascular surgical procedure, will now be described in a series of motions. That is, those motions/actions initiated by the user, and those motions which occur passively within the assemblies of both the closure device  100  and the deployment device  200 . The method comprises providing a system comprising a closure device  100  for sealing an opening (an arteriotomy) formed in the wall  401  of a blood vessel  400  (see  FIG. 43 ), and a deployment device  200  (see  FIG. 2   a ) for deploying the closure device  100  into the opening (the arteriotomy) formed in the wall  401  of a blood vessel  400 , to seal the opening  405 . 
     Embodiments of the methods of the present invention, with are described and illustrated herein, are not limited to the sequence of motions/actions described, nor are they necessarily limited to the practice of all of the motions set forth. Other sequences of motions, or less than all of the motions, or simultaneous occurrence of the motions, may be utilized in practicing the embodiments of the invention. 
       FIGS. 31   a - 43  show the functionality of the distal portion  20  of the deployment device  200  and the closure device  100  (including the guide wire  299 , as described supra) with respect to a patient&#39;s anatomy and the incisional architecture of the percutaneously formed puncture created prior to a vascular closure procedure, i.e. skin puncture, tissue tract, arteriotomy, etc., as described infra, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Turning to  FIG. 31   a , prior to the beginning of the use of the deployment device  200 , the guide wire  299  is in place, i.e., an unexposed portion  306  of the guide wire  299  extends from the patient&#39;s skin  399 , in a distal direction through the skin puncture  397  and the tissue tract  407 , to a position inside the lumen of the blood vessel  404 ; and an exposed portion  307  (contiguous with the unexposed portion  306 ) of the guide wire  299  extends in a proximal direction from the patient&#39;s skin such that it is outside the patient&#39;s body. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 31   b  &amp;  32 , at the beginning of the deployment of the closure device  100  by the deployment device  200 , the proximal tip  305  of the guide wire  299  (which is in a pre-existing position partially inside the patient&#39;s body and partially outside the patient&#39;s body, as described supra) is inserted into the guide wire entrance  301  (in a proximal direction). The guide wire  299  is further advanced proximally until the proximal end  305  of the guide wire  299  travels through the guide wire exit  207 . Once the proximal end  305  of the guide wire  299  has protruded through the guide wire exit  207  and is exposed outside the device, the guide wire  299  is grasped and pulled by the user to remove any slack in the guide wire  299  without changing the position of the guide wire  299  inside the patient&#39;s body. The deployment device  200  may then be advanced in a distal direction, over the guide wire  299  such that the distal end  20  of deployment device  200  passes through the skin puncture  397  (at an angle of less than 90° relative to the plane of the surface of a patient&#39;s skin  399 ), continues moving distally through the length of the percutaneously formed puncture, i.e., through the tissue tract  407  (extending through the subcutaneous tissue  409  overlying the vessel  400 ), and through the arteriotomy  405  into the lumen  404  of the blood vessel  400 , until the distal end  20  of the deployment device  200  (comprising the footplate  110 ′ and the distal ends of the distal C-tubes) are intralumenal (inside lumen  404  of the blood vessel  400 ). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, once inside the vessel  400 , owing to the positive arterial blood pressure, blood flows into the main conduit area  205  (which acts as a blood marking passageway) via the inlet hole  406  and then proximally to the side hole  206 , where blood droplets  408  can be observed (“blood marking”) (see  FIG. 32 ). Such visual observation of proximal blood flow is an affirmative indication to the user that the footplate  110 ′ is positioned inside the vessel  400 . The distal end  20  of the deployment device  200  is then preferably advanced a few millimeters more to make sure that the footplate  110 ′ is completely within the lumen  404  of the blood vessel  400 , and that the clinician is not observing false blood marking. The guide wire  299  is then completely removed by the user (by pulling it in the proximal direction through the proximal guide wire exit  207 ) and then disposed of in a proper medical waste container, while the deployment device  200  is held in place by the user. (See FIG.  33 —guide wire  299  has been removed, while the distal end  20  of the deployment device  200  remains within the lumen  404  of the blood vessel  400 , i.e., the default position). 
       FIGS. 21   a - 30   c  relate to the deployment of the closure device  100  by the deployment device  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. These figures show the action and automatic functionality of the deployment device  200  as well as depict the sequential displacements (movements) of the various parts within the assembly of the deployment device  200 .  FIGS. 21   a - 30   c  are shown primarily as section views to enable a better understanding of the relative movements of the individual parts within the assembly of the deployment device  200  (without showing the percutaneous puncture, blood vessel, etc.), according to an embodiment of the present invention. In these figures, an axial center-line is indicated which is coincident with the longitudinal center-line of the wire  120 . These figures also provide “windows” for close-up views of the inner workings of specific portions (shown by a dashed line and circle) of the device  200 . Parts of the deployment device such as the inner proximal tube  213 , the outer proximal tube  211 , wire ferrule  250 , the slide barrel  215 , cut-off lever  218 , squeeze lever handle  232 , link  235  and button  233 , right and left side lateral constant force springs  125  (comprising the roll spring portion  228  and the flat portion  227 ), lateral upper hook-shaped ends  237 , upper and lower constant force springs  135  (comprising roll spring portions  229  and the flat portions  230 ), the outer distal C-tube  201 , the inner distal C-Tube  202 , the footplate  110 ′ (monolithic footplate embodiment shown), the plug  111 , sheer tube  224 , and the nose portion  203  of the outer distal C-tube  201 , are shown. 
     As described supra,  FIGS. 33-43  show the relative movements of the individual parts of the distal portion  20  of the deployment device  200  and the closure device  100 , with respect to the patient&#39;s anatomy and the architecture of the percutaneous passageway, i.e., skin puncture, subcutaneous tissue tract, arteriotomy, and blood vessel, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 21   a - 21   d , a deployment device  200  is shown in its default position, prior to the squeeze lever handle  232  being squeezed by the user. The squeeze lever handle  232  is in the fully open (un-squeezed) position. The squeeze lever handle  232  is hingedly attached to the control housing  210  via cylindrical features  271  that extend from both sides of the control housing  210  and are coaxial with the through-holes  272  in the distal ears of the squeeze lever handle  232 . A link  235  is hingedly attached to both the squeeze lever handle  232  and the slide barrel  215 . This link  235  is a coupling element that transmits force from the squeeze lever handle  232  to the slide barrel  215 . At this step, the inner proximal tube  213  and outer proximal tube  211  are in their fully distal positions. The lateral upper hook-shaped ends  237  of the squeeze lever handle  232  are engaged with the hooked features  255  of the proximal end  222  of the skin flange assembly  222 . The inner distal C-tube  202  (not shown) and outer distal C-tube  201  are in their fully distal positions. The footplate  110 ′ (not shown) is housed in the outer distal C-tube  201 . The closed end of the footplate  101 ′ is in frictional contact with the under-cut feature  208  at the distal end of the inner distal C-tube  202  (see  FIG. 22   e ). 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, after the guide wire  299  is removed from the deployment device  200 , the distal end  20  of the deployment device  200  (in which the footplate  110 ′ resides) is within the lumen of the vessel (see  FIG. 33 ) prior to the squeeze lever handle  232  being squeezed. The description of this forthcoming squeezing action is detailed in a series of successive steps for a better understanding of how the deployment device  200  operates, infra, as shown in  FIGS. 22   a - 26   g . However, in a preferred embodiment, this squeezing motion/action occurs all in one squeezing motion/action. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 22   a - 22   e , the squeeze lever handle  232  is squeezed such that the slide barrel  215  is moved proximally via the link  235  which is hingedly attached to both the squeeze lever handle  232  and the slide barrel  215 . The slide barrel&#39;s  215  squeeze finger catch tabs  217  are in frictional contact with the outer proximal tube&#39;s  211  catch tabs  220  such that the outer proximal tube  211  is pulled proximally. The outer distal C-tube  201  is slid proximally with respect to the inner distal C-tube  202 , thus exposing the footplate  110  on the inside of the lumen  404  of the vessel  400 . (See also  FIG. 34 , showing the exposure of the footplate  110 ′ within the lumen of the blood vessel.) 
     Turning to  FIG. 23   a - 23   e , the squeeze lever handle  232  is further squeezed such that the slide barrel  215  moves further proximally via the link  235  (which is hingedly attached to both the squeeze lever handle  232  and the slide barrel  215 ) (see  FIG. 23   a ). Proximal movement of the slide barrel&#39;s  215  squeeze finger catch tabs  217  (engaged with the outer proximal tube&#39;s  211  catch tabs  220 ) (see  FIG. 23   d ) results in further proximal movement of the outer proximal tube  211 . This further proximal movement of the outer proximal tube  211  creates engagement of the outer proximal tube&#39;s push tabs  223  with the distal surface  253  of the wire ferrule  250  (see  FIG. 23   c ). The proximal movement of the wire ferrule  250  translates into proximal movement and force (tensile load) applied to the wire  120 . This force actuates the footplate  110 ′ (which has a stable pivot/hinge point provided by the undercut feature  208  on the distal end of the inner distal C-tube  202 ) to a substantially perpendicular position relative to the longitudinal axis of the control housing  210  inside the vessel  400  (see  FIGS. 23   e  &amp;  35 ). The embodiments of the footplate that are related to the monolithic footplate and the footplate comprising more than one part that are permanently fixed to each other, and permanently deform (plastically deform) due to this applied tensile load. The embodiments of the footplate related to the hinge and ball-and-socket mechanisms, do not plastically deform, but rotate into the actuated position due to the applied tensile load. At the end of the proximal travel of the wire ferrule  250 , the proximal snap finger  243  of the outer proximal tube  211  locks with the snap feature  260  of the control housing  210  (see  FIG. 23   c ). Further, the wire ferrule&#39;s proximal snap finger  254  engages with the cap finger  242  such that the wire ferrule  250  is locked in its fully proximal position (see  FIG. 23   c ). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 24   a - 24   f , the squeeze lever handle  232  is further squeezed such that the slide barrel  215  moves further proximally via the link  235  (which is hingedly attached to both the squeeze lever handle  232  and the slide barrel  215 ) (see  FIG. 24   a ). As the slide barrel  215  moves proximally, the outside radiused portion  270  of the squeeze fingers  269  at the distal portion of the slide barrel  215  come into frictional contact with a reduced-width region  273  in the cut-out  261  in the top portion of the control housing  210  (see  FIG. 24   e ). The two squeeze fingers  269  are squeezed together (elastically deformed, each in an inward direction) until there is complete disengagement of the squeeze finger catch tabs  217  from the catch tabs  220  of the outer proximal tube  211  (see  FIG. 24   f ). This proximal movement of the slide barrel  215  creates contact of the proximal end of the slide barrel  244  with the release shaft  239  (see  FIG. 24   d ). Consequently, the release shaft  239  is moved proximally such that the release shaft&#39;s proximal end  245  comes into frictional contact with the radiused feature  246  of the cap finger, right  241 . The cap finger, right  241  is elastically deformed in an outward direction such that the distal end of the cap finger, right  241  becomes disengaged from the proximal end  262  of the inner proximal tube  213  (see  FIG. 24   c ). 
     Turning to  FIGS. 25   a - 25   d , the squeeze lever handle  232  is further squeezed such that the slide barrel  215  is moved further proximally via the link  235  (which is hingedly attached to both the squeeze lever handle  232  and the slide barrel  215 ) (see  FIG. 25   a ). At this point in the actuation process, the slide barrel is engaged with neither the inner nor the outer proximal tube. Rather, this step simply offsets the sequence timing of the relative movement of the inner proximal tube  213  and the outer proximal tube  211 . At the end of this step, the proximal surfaces of the push features  248  on the proximal end  244  of the slide barrel  215  are in frictional contact with the distal surfaces of the catch tabs  263  of the inner proximal tube  213 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 26   a - 26   g , the squeeze lever handle  232  is further squeezed such that the slide barrel  215  moves further proximally via the link  235  (which is hingedly attached to both the squeeze lever handle  232  and the slide barrel  215 ) (see  FIG. 26   a ). At the end of this squeezing motion, the squeeze lever handle  232  is disallowed from being further squeezed owing to a box-shaped feature  265  protruding upwards from the slide button  233  (which is slidably attached to the squeeze lever handle  232 ) coming into frictional contact with the underside of the control housing  210  (see  FIGS. 26   d  &amp;  26   g ). During the squeezing motion, the proximal surfaces of the push features on the proximal end  248  of the slide barrel  215  push the inner proximal tube (via the distal surfaces of the catch tabs  263  of the inner proximal tube  213 ) in a proximal direction (see  FIG. 26   c ) to the inner proximal tube&#39;s  213  full and final proximal position. At the end of this step, the snap fingers  264  of the inner proximal tube  213  are locked with the catch features  259  of the control housing  210  (see  FIG. 26   e ). Also at the end of this step, the snap fingers  249  of the squeeze lever handle  232  have snapped into the primary undercut features  258  on the outside of the control housing  210  (see  FIG. 26   g ). At this point, the inner distal C-tube  202  has been moved in the proximal direction (to its fully-most proximal position) such that it is completely detached from the footplate  110 ′, leaving the footplate  110 ′ completely exposed within the lumen  404  of the blood vessel  400  (see also  FIG. 36 ). This squeezing action also disconnects the lateral upper hook-shaped ends  237  of the squeeze lever handle  232  (on both the left and right sides of the device) from the hook features  255  on the proximal end of the skin flange assembly  222 , thereby releasing the skin flange assembly  222 , which moves in the distal direction until the distal surface  209  of the distal portion  221  of the skin flange assembly  222  contacts the outside surface of the patient&#39;s skin  399  (see also,  FIG. 38 ). The distal movement of the skin flange assembly  222  is due to a constant distal force created by the lateral constant force springs  125  (on the left and right sides of the control housing  210 ). As the skin flange assembly  222  is moving in a distal direction, but prior to the distal surface  209  of the distal portion  221  coming into contact with the outside surface of the patient&#39;s skin  399 , the user may vertically orient the deployment device  200  to a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the plane of the surface of the patient&#39;s skin  399  (see  FIG. 37 ). This vertical orientation of the deployment device  200  creates a planar relationship between the distal surface  209  of the distal portion  221 , and the outside of the patient&#39;s skin  399  such that an approximately even contact pressure exists between the planar interface of the distal surface  209  of the distal portion  221  of the skin flange assembly  222 , and the outside of the patient&#39;s skin  399  (see  FIG. 38 ). A rotary damping system  225  (see  FIG. 27 ), which comprises a rack and pinion configuration, may be provided to provide a force to the skin flange portion in opposition to the distal force exerted by the lateral constant force springs, which partially resists, but does not fully negate, the constant distal force. This rotary damping system  225  serves to maintain an appropriately low velocity of the skin flange which offers two benefits; (1) it allows the user time to vertically orient the deployment device  200  (as discussed supra) and, (2) it minimizes the impact force at the moment that the distal surface  209  comes into contact with the outside of the patient&#39;s skin  399 . Once the distal surface  209  of the distal portion  221  of the skin flange assembly  222  is in contact with the skin  399  of a patient, it applies a constant distal force to the skin  399  which, in turn, creates a tensile proximal force in the wire  120 , which seats the footplate  110 ′ against the inside of the vessel wall  403 . A datum is created at the point where the footplate is seated (see also,  FIG. 38 ). At this point, the distal ends of both the outer distal C-tube  201  and the inner distal C-tube  202  have been moved in the proximal direction to a position proximal (outside) of the outside surface  402  of the blood vessel wall  401  of the blood vessel  400  (see  FIG. 38 ). 
     Turning successively to  FIGS. 28   a - 28   b , the slide button  233  is slid in a distal direction, which allows the squeeze lever handle  232  to be free for further squeezing in the next step. When the slide button  233  has been actuated (slid distally), the box-shaped feature  265  is placed in a distal position such that it is free (from mechanical interference) to enter a rectangularly-shaped opening  273  in the bottom side of the control housing  210 . The entrance of the box-shaped feature  265  into the rectangularly-shaped opening  273  does not occur until the next step during further squeezing of the squeeze lever handle  232 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 29   a - 29   f , the squeeze lever handle  232  is further squeezed a final time, to its fully-most squeezable position. In accordance with the distal movement of the slide button  233  (as described supra), the box-shaped feature  265  (protruding upwardly from the slide button  233 ), is allowed to protrude into the rectangularly-shaped opening  273  in the bottom of the control housing  210 , during the final squeeze, thus allowing the squeeze lever handle  232  (to which the slide button  233  is slidably attached) to come to its final, fully-most squeezed position (see  FIGS. 29   a  &amp;  29   d ). At the end of this step, the snap fingers  249  of the squeeze lever handle  232  snap into the secondary undercut features  275  on the outside of the control housing  210  (see  FIG. 29   c ). This final squeeze releases the slide barrel  215  at the lower hinge pin  256  from the C-feature  266  on the proximal end of the link  235 . The C-feature  266  is stripped from the lower hinge pin  256  via cam-action of the centrally located cam features  267  of the link  235  with the underside (outside surface)  257  of the control housing  210  (see  FIG. 29   e ). Immediately upon disassociation of the link  235  from the slide barrel  215 , the slide barrel  215  moves distally under the force of the upper and lower constant force springs  135  (see  FIG. 29   a ). As the slide barrel  215  moves in a distal direction, so does the push tube  212 , the push tube insert  112 , and the plug  111 . The plug  111  moves over the wire  120 , while remaining concentric with the wire  120 , and rotationally aligned with the wire  120  and the footplate  110 ′. When the distal end  104  of the plug  111  comes into proximity of the proximal margin  113  of the footplate  110 ′, motion ceases (see  FIG. 29   f ). In accordance with an embodiment with the present invention, the distal C-tubes locally expand and disassociate creating an irreversible un-nested condition that allows passage of the plug  111  into the post-vascular deployment configuration and position, wherein the plug  111  comprises a proximal diameter which is larger than an inner diameter of the main conduit area  205 . The distal C-tubes remain disassociated (un-nested) from one another after the plug  111  has traveled (proximal-to-distal) through the longitudinal length of the distal C-tubes (see  FIG. 9   d ). At the end of the distal movement of the slide barrel  215 , the cut-off lever  218  flips up as a result if its distal, underside portion coming into contact with the ramp features  277  on the top side of the control housing  210  (see  FIG. 29   a ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 39 , at the end of this step, the plug  111  has entered the arteriotomy  405 , and the plug  111  and the footplate  110 ′ are in their final positions relative to one another, and the vessel wall  401  (a post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, as described infra). The post-deployed closure device deployment position (in the distal-proximal direction) is controlled by the datum that was created, as discussed supra. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 30   a - 30   c , the distal portion of the cut-off lever  218  is pulled up in a direction perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis of the wire, by the user. During the cut-off procedure, the cut-off lever  218  rotates about a hinge pin  238 , co-located with a through-hole  274  at a proximal margin of a proximal extension on the slide barrel  215 . The contact surface  310  at the underside of the cut-off lever  218  comes into frictional contact with the most proximal surface  315  of the cap  240  at the proximal end of the shear tube  224 . The shear tube  224  is driven in a distal direction owing to the cam-action imparted by the contact surface  310  of the cut-off lever  218 . As the shear tube  224  is displaced distally over the static (stationary) wire  120 , the angled, distal end  312  of the shear tube  224  is placed in high contact force with the angled proximal surface  350  of the push tube insert  112  (which is resisting the distally directed force being applied to the shear tube  224 ). A scissor-type shearing force is applied to the wire  120  at a position just slightly proximal of the proximal end  103  of the plug  111 , as the angled distal surface  312  of the shear tube  224  slides over (and past) the angled proximal surface  350  of the push tube insert  112 . When the ultimate shear strength of the wire  120  has been exceeded, the wire material fails (disassociates). Simultaneously, the short remaining wire section that is left protruding proximally from the proximal end  103  of the plug  111 , is bent in the direction of the movement of the shear tube  224  (see  FIGS. 30   c  &amp;  41 ). The bend that is created in the wire is sufficient to lock the relative positions of the plug  111  and the footplate  110 ′ in order to provide a stable and secure final implant construct. Details of the cut off system are shown in  FIG. 40  (the pre-cut/pre-bent configuration)—including the shear tube  224  and wire  120 . The cutting and bending of the wire  120  by the shear tube  224  (the post-cut/post-bent configuration) is shown in  FIGS. 30   c  and  41 . The deployment device  200  may then be removed from the percutaneous puncture and disposed of in a proper medical waste container. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 42 &amp; 43 , the closure device&#39;s  100  post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position will now be described. This configuration and position can include any of the various embodiments of the footplate as described supra. The discussion of the closure device&#39;s  100  post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, however, will specifically refer to footplate  110 ′ (with plug  111  and wire  120 ), as an example of this configuration and position with brief references to some of the other footplate embodiments. 
     In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, during the method of deploying the closure device  100  of an embodiment of the present invention as described supra, the plug  111  is pushed through the main conduit area  205  and over the proximal portion of the wire  120  as the footplate  110 ′ rests against the inner wall  403  of the vessel  400  in its post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position. Additionally, the plug  111  is pushed percutaneously into the puncture, down through the tissue tract and into the arteriotomy. The plug&#39;s  111  distal portion  104  extends through the vessel wall over the distal portion of the wire  120  and into contact with the footplate  110 ′ at the proximal leg  34 ′, at about the common plane established by the elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′ and the arcuately-curved connecting portion  33 ′. (In the closure device embodiment comprising footplate  110 , for example, the distal portion  104  of the plug  111  pinches (traps) part of the artery wall at the margin of the arteriotomy  405  (drawing this part of the artery wall and holding it) as it nests itself within the U-shaped looped portion  30  of the footplate  110 , where the distal end  104  of the plug  111  can reside slightly distal of the inside surface of the vessel wall  403  (within the lumen  404  of the blood vessel  400 )). The portion of the footplate  110 ′ that is seated against the inside wall  403  of the artery comprises the elongated U-shaped loop  30 ′. The wire  120  of the footplate  110 ′ extends through the axial hole  105  in the plug  111  in a proximal direction, where the wire  120  is bent at an acute angle in a direction away from a longitudinal axis of the plug&#39;s axial hole  105  at the proximal end  103  of the plug  111 . The proximal portion  103  of the plug  111  resides outside the wall  401  of the artery in the tissue tract. Alternatively, the entire plug may reside within the arterial wall. Generally, the diameter of the proximal portion  103  of the plug  111  is larger than the opening in the wall of the blood vessel (the arteriotomy  405 ) at the radial interface between the arteriotomy  405  and the proximal portion  103  of the plug  111 . In this post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position, the closure device&#39;s  100  seal is formed by the radial interface of the plug  111  and the arteriotomy  405 . (In the closure device embodiment comprising footplate  110 , for example, the vessel wall tissue that was drawn into the looped portion (and supported by the footplate  110 ) can also help form the seal of the closure device  100 .) The mechanism of retention (locking) of the closure device  100  comprises the portion of the wire  120 , which is proximal to the plug  111 , that was cut and bent (by the action of the cut-off lever  218  of the deployment device  200 , as described supra) to secure the plug  111  and footplate  110 ′ together in conjunction with the footplate&#39;s  110 ′ substantially parallel configuration with respect to the inside wall  403  of the blood vessel. This mechanism of retention allows the footplate  110 ′ to resist passage back through the arteriotomy  405 , in a proximal direction. Likewise, this mechanism of retention aids in preventing the plug  111  from migrating (passing) completely through the arteriotomy  405 , in a distal direction. Hence the closure device  100  (the final implant construct) is stable, i.e. locked, as to resist dislodgement in vivo in either the distal or proximal direction. 
     The same basic post-deployed closure device deployment configuration and position can be established with any of the embodiments of the footplate, as described supra. For instance, the portion of the footplate that can be seated against the inside wall of the blood vessel (and is in contact with the distal portion  104  of the plug  111 ) comprises, for example; the elongated U-shaped loop  730  for footplate  710  (see  FIG. 1   f ), where the plug&#39;s  111  distal portion  104  extends through the vessel wall over the distal portion of the wire  120  and into contact with the footplate  710  at the proximal leg  734 , at about the common plane established by the elongated U-shaped loop  730  and the arcuately-curved connecting portion  33 . In the embodiments where the footplate is represented by a longitudinally shaped bar (e.g., footplates  810 ,  910 ,  1010 ,  1110 , and  1210 ) either the top or bottom surface of the footplate is seated against the inside wall of the blood vessel. For example, the bottom arcuately-shaped surfaces of footplates  810  and  1010  (see  FIGS. 1   g ,  1   h ,  1   i , and  1   j ) are seated against the inside wall of the blood vessel; or the substantially planar top surfaces ( 938  and  1138 ) of footplates  910  and  1110  respectively (see  FIGS. 1   k ,  1   l ,  1   m , and in) are seated against the inside wall of the blood vessel; or the bottom substantially planar surface  1243  of footplate  1210  (see  FIGS. 1   o  and  1   p ) is seated against the inside wall of the blood vessel. 
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications, and alternative forms, specific examples thereof have been shown in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms or methods disclosed, but to the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.