Patent ID: 8758397

Claim:
A tissue closure device, comprising: (a) a base member, defining an opening of sufficient cross-section to allow passage of a sheath therethrough; (b) a plurality of active members extending from the base, each active member having a length, width and thickness and having a first portion adjacent the base and a second portion extending from the first portion towards an active member distal end, the first portion of the active member tapering in width from the base toward the second portion and extending away from a longitudinal axis of the base member in an open state, the second portion being spaced apart from the first portion and extending towards the longitudinal axis of the base member in the open state and tapering in thickness from the distal end of the active member towards the first portion; and wherein, the active members are configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein when the active members are in the first configuration the active members are spaced apart sufficiently to allow passage of the sheath between the active members, and wherein when the active members are in the second configuration the active members urge tissue placed between the second portions of the active members into apposition.