Patent ID: 8002794

Claim:
A method for creating a self-sealing opening in a blood vessel using a device comprising a delivery guide, a delivery guide extension configured to articulate about an articulating region with respect to the delivery guide, an introduction device deployable from the delivery guide and having an introduction longitudinal axis, and an anchor having an anchor longitudinal axis, wherein the introduction longitudinal axis forms an introduction angle with the anchor longitudinal axis, the method comprising: a. advancing the anchor into a lumen of a blood vessel through a first arteriotomy defining a first angle with respect to the blood vessel; b. utilizing a position of the anchor relative to the blood vessel to establish an orientation of the introduction device relative to the blood vessel; c. introducing the introduction device through a proximal extension of the anchor and through a wall of the blood vessel to create a substantially diagonal tract through the blood vessel wall wherein a distal portion of the tract defines a second angle with respect to the wall of the blood vessel, wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle; d. advancing the introduction device into the lumen, wherein when the introduction device enters the lumen, the introduction angle has an absolute value from about 0 degrees to about 30 degrees; and e. advancing an introducer sheath into the tract to expand the tract so that a procedure may be performed therethrough, wherein the majority of the tract extends between an inner surface and an outer surface of the blood vessel wall, and wherein after the procedure has been performed and the introduction device has been withdrawn from the tract, blood pressure acting on the blood vessel wall causes first and second opposed tissue portions defining the tract to contact each other and self-seal.