CPC A61B 17/0057 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00623 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00654 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00898 (2013.01); A61B 2017/22067 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
1. A method for sealing a blood vessel penetration disposed at the end of a tissue tract, the method comprising:
providing an apparatus including a shaft, a hemostatic implant disposed on an exterior surface of the shaft, a soluble plug for inhibiting hydration of the hemostatic implant and disposed on the exterior surface of the shaft, and a protective sleeve covering outer surfaces of the hemostatic implant and the soluble plug, wherein the soluble plug is positioned distal to a distal end of the hemostatic implant to function cooperatively with a distal end of the protective sleeve to inhibit hydration of the hemostatic implant;
introducing the shaft through the tissue tract to position the hemostatic implant within the tissue tract, wherein the hemostatic implant and the soluble plug are covered by the protective sleeve while the shaft is being introduced;
retracting the protective sleeve to first expose the soluble plug followed by the hemostatic implant such that the soluble plug dissolves and is resorbed into surrounding tissue while the hydratable implant expands and occludes the tissue track; and
withdrawing the shaft past the expanded hemostatic implant which remains in the tissue tract.
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