Patent ID: 7029480

Claim:
A puncture site closure device, comprising: an elongated shaft having, a proximal end and a distal end; a transition region disposed adjacent the distal end of the elongated shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end thereby defining an axial length therebetween, wherein the transition region defines an oval cross-section at the distal end and an oval cross-section at the proximal end, and wherein the cross-sectional orientation of the transition region changes over the axial length of the transition region such that the oval cross-section at the proximal end of the transition region has a major axis disposed at an angle relative to a major axis of the oval cross-section at the distal end of the transition region; and a needle disposed within a needle lumen defined by the elongated shaft, the needle being advanceable out of the needle lumen and across the transition region to penetrate tissue disposed in the transition region.