Patent ID: 7998169

Claim:
A method for forming a self-sealing arteriotomy using a device comprising first and second introducers, the method comprising: a. advancing the first introducer, the first introducer having a distal portion coupled to an anchor, through a first arteriotomy that has a first angle with respect for the vessel wall to place the anchor into a lumen of the artery; b. applying a force to the first introducer to position an adjacent portion of the artery wall in a desired contact configuration relative to the anchor; c. while maintaining the lumen portion in the desired contact configuration with the anchor, advancing the second introducer through a portion of the first introducer and through the artery wall to form a tract within the artery wall that has a substantially lateral portion, as well as a distal portion that defines a second angle with respect to the vessel wall and wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle, and wherein the tract is defined between overlapping tissue portions of the artery wall; d. advancing the second introducer into the lumen of the artery; and e. expanding the tract with a sheath so that a procedure may be performed therethrough, wherein after the procedure has been performed and the device and sheath have been withdrawn from the tract, blood pressure acting on the artery causes the overlapping tissue portions to collapse and self-seal.