Patent ID: 8123763

Claim:
A suture securement apparatus for selectively and releasably securing the ends of a suture utilized in a purse string suture utilized to maintain hemostasis and close a percutaneous catheter puncture site, the suture securement apparatus comprising: a body having a cavity positioned therein; a suture having a first end, a second end, a loop portion, a first portion extending between the first end and the loop portion, and a second portion extending between the second end and the loop portion; a plunger slidably disposed within the cavity of the body, the plunger being slidable between a first position in which the ends of the suture are secured relative to the suture securement apparatus and a second position in which the ends of the suture can be moved relative to the suture securement apparatus, the plunger defining a plunger lumen that extends through the plunger, the plunger lumen having a bottom surface, and is configured to receive the first and second portions of the suture; a biasing spring positioned within the cavity of the body and engaging the plunger to bias the plunger toward the first position and allow for releasable engagement of the sutures; an extension tube extending a predetermined distance from the body such that a tip of the extension tube is configured to engage the first and second portions of the suture adjacent a suture insertion point without interruption from the body, the extension tube defining an extension tube lumen that extends through the extension tube, has a top surface, and is configured to receive the first and second portions of the suture; and a threading assembly having a base portion and a suture engaging portion for facilitating of the suture through a lumen of the suture securement apparatus, the threading assembly selectively coupleable to the first and second portions of the suture; wherein the suture is configured to be disposed within the plunger lumen and the extension tube lumen such that the loop portion extends from the extension tube lumen and the first and second ends extend from the body, the threading assembly configured to be coupled to the first and second portions of the suture, wherein when the plunger is in the first position the plunger lumen and the extension tube lumen are misaligned such that the suture ends are secured by engagement first and second portions of the suture of the between the bottom surface of the plunger lumen and the top surface of the extension tube lumen.