in accordance with one or more embodiments of the inventions , a wound sealing apparatus and method , are described herein . in order to fully specify this preferred design , various embodiment specific details are set forth , such as the composition of the sealing material and apparatus for connecting the sealing catheter to already placed introduction sheaths . it should be understood , however that these details are provided only to illustrate the presented embodiments , and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention . a catheter or sheath may be described as being axially elongate in configuration . the catheter further may be described as having a proximal end and a distal end . the proximal end is that end furthest from the patient and closest to the person operating the instrument . the distal end is that end closest to the patient or inserted first into the patient . the proximal direction may be described as that direction further from the patient and the distal direction may be described as that direction closer to the patient , from a given point of reference along the length of the catheter or sheath . a lumen may be described as an axially elongate channel within a catheter or sheath . the lumen may exit the sheath at the proximal or distal end , or both , or it may be sealed . fig1 illustrates an introduction sheath 10 . the introduction sheath 10 further comprises a sheath tube 12 , a hub 14 , a distal taper 16 , a proximal sheath attachment point 18 , and a central sheath lumen 20 . fig1 further illustrates an obturator or dilator 40 inserted through the central sheath lumen 20 of the introduction sheath 10 . the obturator 40 further comprises an obturator tube 42 , an obturator hub 44 , an obturator distal taper 46 , an obturator attachment point 48 , a central guidewire lumen 50 , and a sheath attachment point 52 . fig1 further shows a guidewire 54 inserted through the central guidewire lumen 50 . further referring to fig1 , the sheath tube 12 is affixed to the sheath hub 14 at or near its proximal end . the distal taper 16 is formed integrally to the distal end of the sheath tube 12 . the proximal sheath attachment point 18 is affixed to the proximal end of the sheath hub 14 . there is no relative motion or sliding between parts due to the permanent fixation or integral nature of the structure . the central sheath lumen 20 is operably connected and open from the distal end through the interface between the sheath tube 12 and the sheath hub 14 through the proximal end of the sheath hub 14 . the obturator tube 42 is affixed to the obturator hub 44 at its proximal end . the obturator tube 42 has an integrally formed distal taper 46 . the obturator hub 44 comprises an integral obturator attachment point 48 at its proximal end . the sheath attachment point 52 is rotatably or non - rotatably affixed to the obturator hub 44 , for the purpose of reversibly connecting to the proximal sheath attachment point 18 . the guidewire lumen 50 is operably connected between the obturator hub 44 and the obturator tube 42 and is open at both the proximal end distal end of the obturator 40 . referring to fig1 , the obturator attachment point 48 in this embodiment is a female luer lock fitting , as the proximal sheath attachment point 18 . the sheath attachment point 52 is a male luer lock , typically a 6 % taper fitting that is fluid tight . other types of fluid tight fittings such as bayonet mounts or screw mounts with gaskets or other seals are appropriate for this device . the obturator attachment point 48 may be fitted to the distal end of a touhy - borst fitting or other hemostatic seal to prevent blood loss before and during the time when the guidewire 50 is inserted therethrough . the sheath 10 and obturator 40 are typically interconnected and are inserted over the guidewire 50 following placement of the guidewire 50 by a percutaneous technique such as the seldinger technique or similar procedure . the sheath 10 and obturator 40 are inserted through a small skin incision or penetration and on through a vessel wall until the sheath 10 is well inside the blood vessel , either an artery or a vein . the sheath 10 turns , or the vessel turns , or both , so that the sheath 10 and coaxial obturator 40 are aligned to pass along and inside the blood vessel . fig2 a illustrates the sheath 10 with the obturator 40 and guidewire 50 removed leaving the central lumen 20 available for the placement of instrumentation . this configuration would be present just prior to placement of a sealing system or other device therethrough . fig2 b illustrates the sheath 10 inserted into a blood vessel 70 . the sheath 10 passes through the wall 72 of the blood vessel 70 and the distal tip of the sheath 10 resides in the lumen 74 of the blood vessel 70 . the guidewire 50 is shown resident within the central lumen 20 of the sheath 10 . at this point , the obturator 40 has been disconnected and removed and instrumentation is now introduced through the sheath 10 . a touhy - borst fitting or other seal is often affixed first to the distal end of the introduction sheath 10 to seal the empty opening or opening with instrumentation inserted therethrough , to prevent or minimize the loss of blood during the procedure . fig3 illustrates a sealing catheter 300 adapted for use with an already existing sheath . the sealing catheter 300 comprises a catheter tube 302 , a catheter hub 304 , a trigger housing 306 , a trigger 308 , a mixer 310 , a catheter to sheath lock 312 , a sealing compound delivery lumen 314 , a guidewire lumen 316 , a distal plug 318 , a cylindrical mesh 320 , a guidewire 322 , a plurality of sealing compound outlet ports 324 , and a sealing compound inlet port 326 . referring to fig3 , the catheter tube 302 is a multi - lumen tube extruded with a proximal end , a distal end , a central guidewire lumen 316 , and one or more sealing compound delivery lumens 314 . one or more sealing compound outlet ports 324 are cut or scythed through the wall separating the sealing compound delivery lumen 314 and the exterior of the tube 302 . the proximal end of the catheter tube 302 is affixed to the catheter hub 304 and the sealing compound delivery lumens 314 are operably connected to an internal lumen within the hub 304 that is operably connected to the mixer 310 . the proximal end of the mixer 310 is affixed to or integral to the sealing compound inlet port 326 , typically a female bayonet connector for attachment to a manifold ( not shown ), which is further operably connected to a double syringe system ( not shown ). the catheter hub 304 further comprises a catheter to sheath lock 312 , which is either permanently affixed to the catheter hub 304 or is free to rotate but is constrained not to move axially . the catheter hub 304 further is affixed to , or integral to , the trigger housing 306 . the trigger 308 slides axially within the trigger housing 306 and may be locked at pre - determined locations with detents , spring - loaded catches , or the like . the trigger 308 is affixed , at its distal end , to the guidewire 322 . the trigger housing and catheter hub 304 are sealed against the leakage of blood . the guidewire 322 is slidably received and free to move axially within the guidewire lumen 316 of the catheter tube 302 . the travel of the trigger 308 determines the travel of the guidewire 322 . the distal end of the catheter tube 302 is affixed to the distal plug 318 , which serves as a point of stability for the guidewire 322 and the mesh 320 . the mesh 320 is affixed , at its proximal end , to the distal end of the distal plug 318 . the mesh 320 is affixed , at its distal end , to the guidewire 322 . the mixer 310 is a generally cylindrical tube with internal baffles or vanes that direct flow to intermix in opposite directions . such mixing systems are commonly known in the art and may be found on epoxy systems , and other two part systems requiring application . fig4 illustrates the sealing catheter 300 having been inserted into the proximal end of the sheath 10 . the sealing catheter 300 is adapted to fluidically seal to the sheath 10 so that no blood or sealing compound leaks externally to the sheath 10 or catheter 300 . the preferred coupling is a 6 % taper seal known as a luer fitting . the catheter to sheath lock 312 is preferably a rotating luer locking ring . other couplings are also appropriate for this application , including bayonet mounts , threaded couplings , clamps , and the like . seals can be created with tapers , mated parts , “ o ” rings , gaskets , and the like . once the catheter 300 is sealed to the sheath 10 , the distal end of the catheter 300 comprising the mesh 320 , the tubing 302 , the sealing compound outlet ports 324 , and the distal extension of the guidewire 322 all project beyond the distal end of the sheath 10 . the trigger 308 is advanced distally within the trigger housing 306 causing the mesh 320 to be stretched longitudinally to its smallest diameter by the distally advanced guidewire 322 . fig5 illustrates the sealing catheter 300 with the trigger 308 retracted proximally within the trigger housing 306 , which retracts the guidewire 322 proximally , which , in turn , retracts the distal end of the mesh 320 proximally toward its fixed proximal end , to form an expanded disc . referring to fig2 b , the expanded disc , which comprises the mesh 320 is suitable for use as a location device when pulled against the interior wall 72 of the blood vessel 70 . the sealing compound outlet ports 324 are shown extending distally beyond the distal end of the sheath 10 . the number of sealing compound outlet ports 324 may be between 1 and 20 and preferably numbers between 2 and 10 . more than one sealing compound outlet port 324 improves distribution of the sealing compound in the area of the wound . location devices suitable for this application include umbrella - like structures that can be opened and closed from the proximal end of the catheter . said umbrella - like structures may be fabricated from mesh , or other constructions . other location devices include radial enlargements on the tubing that occlude the wound or puncture and seal against the vessel wall 72 thus stopping bleeding in an observable way such that the location of the sealing compound outlet ports 324 relative to the vessel wall 72 is known . still other location devices include inflatable balloons , both elastomeric and inelastic , that can be inflated and pulled against the vessel wall 72 . another type of location device includes a molly - bolt , which is similar to the mesh , but which is comprised of longitudinal slits in tubing that expand diametrically like a flower , when the distal end is pulled toward the proximal end of the location device . other location devices include those that incorporate ultrasound or infrared sensors to determine the location of the blood vessel wall . infrared sensors are able detect the vessel wall as a transition between warmer and cooler regions while the vessel wall will have different acoustic reflectivity and transmission than surrounding tissue , as well as blood . notification interfaces for these electronic devices include audio output devices that beep , video imaging , or simple visual indicators such as light emitting diodes , or the like . all of these locating devices are operably connected to the location devices from the proximal end of the catheter 300 . in the case of any expandable locating devices , it is preferable that the device may be made smaller by an action at the proximal end of the catheter 300 prior to removal from the blood vessel 70 . fig6 illustrates the sealing catheter 300 inserted through a sheath 10 , which is inserted through a wound in the wall 72 of a blood vessel 70 and into its central lumen 74 . the sealing mass 600 , comprised of sealing compound has extruded through the sealing compound outlet ports 324 and has formed an annular donut ( shown in cross - section ) around the wound area . this annular donut will close off its central orifice once the catheter 300 is withdrawn from the wound area . it is important to keep the diameter or profile of the catheter , which projects distally to the sealing mass 600 as small as possible so as not to catch on the sealing mass 600 when the catheter 300 is withdrawn . the distance between the sealing compound outlet ports 324 and the vessel wall 72 is important and needs to be such that sealing compound , when extruded into the space outside the vessel 70 , fills the space and hemostatically seals the wound . the mesh 320 is deformed , because it is expanded to a large radial size by proximal displacement of the trigger 308 , and is pulled against the wall 72 and the catheter 300 is bent into the longitudinal axis of the lumen 74 of the blood vessel 70 . this mesh 320 deformation complicates the distance pre - determination but can be taken into account to provide an optimum location for the sealing compound outlet ports 324 . the distance between the sealing compound outlet ports 324 and the vessel wall 72 is between 0 . 25 mm and 10 mm and preferably between 0 . 5 mm and 5 mm . the location of the positioning device relative to the sealing compound outlet ports 324 varies depending on whether the positioning device is located within the vessel lumen as is the mesh 320 , or within the vessel wall , as might be a sealing bump or ultrasound sensor . for example , if the vessel wall is around 0 . 25 mm in thickness and if a mesh 320 is pulled tightly against the vessel wall , the distance between the proximal end of the mesh 320 and the sealing compound outlet ports 324 can be between 0 . 5 mm and 10 . 25 mm . the vessel wall thickness can range between 0 . 1 mm and 2 mm . the diameter of the distal attachment point between the mesh 320 and the guidewire 322 is smaller than the proximal diameter of the mesh 320 . this tapering of the mesh 320 means that when the mesh 320 is withdrawn through the vessel wall 72 and the newly created seal mass 600 , it will have fewer tendencies to grab the seal mass 600 and cause seal dislodgement . the outer diameter of the distal attachment point of the mesh 320 is between 0 . 010 and 0 . 100 inches with a preferable diameter of between 0 . 020 and 0 . 050 inches . fig7 a illustrates a lateral cross - section of a sealing catheter tube 302 inside an introduction sheath tube 12 . the sealing catheter tube 302 further comprises one or more dividing walls 704 , a guidewire lumen wall 706 , a guidewire lumen 316 and one or more sealing compound lumens 304 . the dividing walls 704 serve to provide radial support and structure for the sealing catheter tube 302 and also keep sealing compound components separate , should that be desired as in the case where a mixer ( not shown ) would be incorporated close to the distal end of the sealing catheter tube 302 . the sealing catheter tube 302 is fabricated typically , by extrusion , from polymeric materials such as , but not limited to , polyurethane , polyethylene , polyamide , polyester , polypropylene , polyethylene , and the like . in this embodiment , the sealing catheter tube 302 does not need to exactly match the diameter and length of the sheath tube 12 . the sealing catheter tube 302 may project well beyond the distal end of the sheath tube 12 and still provide its sealing compound delivery function . fig7 b illustrates a lateral cross - section of a sealing catheter tube 708 inside an introduction sheath tube 12 . the sealing catheter tube 708 further comprises one or more dividing walls 704 , a guidewire lumen wall 706 , a guidewire lumen , and one or more sealing compound channels 710 . in this embodiment , the sealing catheter tube 708 carries the sealing compound in channels 710 extruded on the exterior of the tube 708 . the sealing catheter tube 708 is inserted inside the sheath tube 12 and , in an embodiment , substantially provides a press fit within the sheath tube 12 such that the sheath tube forms the outer wall of the sealing compound lumen while the sealing compound channels 710 form the inner and side walls of the sealing compound lumen . in this embodiment , the length of the sheath tube 12 is critical insofar as the sealing compound exits the structure at the point where the sheath tube 12 ends at its distal most aspect . the length and outside diameter of the sealing catheter tube 708 , in this embodiment , are predetermined to mate with the length and inside diameter of the sheath tube 12 . fig8 illustrates a side view of the catheter 300 and sheath 10 being withdrawn leaving the seal mass 600 in place to create wound hemostasis . the small diameter of the components at the distal end of the catheter 300 allows them to pull easily through the seal mass 600 without catching thereupon . the mesh 320 has been pulled distally by the distally displaced guidewire 322 , in response to distal displacement of the trigger 308 , to form a small diameter structure . the vessel 70 with its wall 72 still retains the leak from the vessel lumen 74 until the seal mass 600 closes radially inward , which is in progress . fig9 illustrates a side view of the vessel 70 following complete removal of the catheter 300 ( not shown ) and the sheath 10 ( not shown ). the seal mass 600 remains in place and has closed off to seal the wound in the wall 72 . fig1 illustrates a side view of a vessel 70 being sealed by a sheath 10 , comprising a sheath tube 12 , and a sealing catheter 1000 of another embodiment inserted therethrough . the sealing catheter 1000 comprises a sealing catheter tube 708 , which further comprises channels 710 on the exterior of said tube 708 for the purpose of transporting sealing compound to the region just external to the vessel wall 72 . the sealing catheter 1000 extends through the vessel wall 72 and into the lumen 74 of the blood vessel 70 . the sealing compound exits the sheath tube 12 where the sealing compound channels 710 are exposed to the surroundings , which is at the distal end of the sheath 10 . note the requirement that the sealing catheter 1000 length be matched to that of the sheath 10 , otherwise the mesh 320 , or other vessel location device , of the sealing catheter 1000 will be inappropriate spaced from the seal mass 600 formed by the sealing compound . inappropriate spacing will result in the seal mass 600 forming inside the vessel lumen 74 or too far from the vessel wall 72 to form an adequate or effective hemostatic seal . in fig1 , the mesh 320 is shown expanded by proximal displacement of the trigger 308 . fig1 illustrates a side cutaway view of a sealing catheter 1100 comprising a sealing catheter tube 1102 that further comprises a mixing chamber 1104 near the distal end of said catheter tube 1102 . the sealing catheter 1100 is inserted into an introduction sheath 10 . the catheter tube 1102 is divided into at least two sealing compound lumens 1106 , which are distinct and separate so that no mixing of sealing compound occurs proximal to the mixing chamber 1104 . the hub 1108 comprises separate sealing compound passages 1110 all the way to the sealing compound input port 1112 , which is divided and capable of sealing and locking to a dual syringe manifold ( not shown ). a guidewire lumen 316 and a guidewire 322 , as well as a trigger housing 306 and a trigger 308 are also comprised by the sealing catheter 1100 . referring to fig1 , the sealing compound 1114 is a generally two - part material . in an embodiment , the sealing compound 1114 comprises albumin and polyethylene glycol . the sealing compound 1114 , in this embodiment , has different characteristics of adhesiveness and time to gel , depending on the ph . a chemical such as a base or acid may be injected along with the sealing compound 1114 to modify or control the characteristics of the sealing compound 1114 . the sealing compound 1114 does not activate until the two parts come into contact , and intimate contact is enhanced by the mixer 1104 . by mixing the two sealing compound 1114 components near the distal end of the catheter tube 1102 , the material starts gelling later in the injection process and has a greater dwell time in the living tissue before gelling . referring to fig1 and 3 , the sealing compound 1114 material also has less dwell - time inside the catheter as it is gelling so that there is less risk of the material gelling an clogging the catheter 1100 than in the case of the sealing catheter 300 . this mixing system delays sealing compound 1114 mixing until the very last moment before injection into the living body through sealing compound ports 1116 . this system may be appropriate for not only albumin and peg , but also with any multi - part compound where at least two of the components are kept separate until they have reached a point substantially near the distal end of the catheter 1100 . for instance , the albumin source may be human or it may be from animals such as bovine , porcine , ovine , or the like , or it may be synthesized . application of the universal sealing catheter 300 and introduction sheath 10 provides improved access to care for patients since the wound sealing procedure may be carried out without the need to first remove the originally placed access sheath 10 . elimination of the sheath 10 removal step decreases procedural time , minimizes tissue damage at the access site , and minimizes the chance of hemorrhage , both during the closure procedure and following removal of the system from the patient . the small diameter of the system minimizes the risk of dislodging the newly created sealing mass 600 or plug . such procedural improvements are expected to improve procedural outcomes and reduce overall healthcare costs . the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics . for example , the material used to seal the vessel defect may comprise non - human albumin . additional chemicals may be injected along with , or prior to , the sealing components in order to cause a beneficial change in the polymerization characteristics , adhesive characteristics , or lubricity of the resultant sealing matrix . the sealing compound may be resorbable or non - resorbable in the body . further , the sealing compound may have its lubricity and adhesive characteristics altered , for instance by changing the ph of the environment . the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive . the scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description . all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope .
devices and methods are disclosed for achieving hemostasis at a wound site following an endovascular procedure . such wound sealing is necessary generally following a percutaneous procedure where a percutaneous cannula is withdrawn from the vasculature leaving an entry site to the vessel that could bleed if steps are not taken to stop said bleeding . the devices and methods disclosed herein are especially useful in the catheterization laboratory following interventional cardiology or interventional neuroradiology procedures . the devices utilize the introduction sheath that was originally used for the procedure as a guide for the closure . the closure device is inserted through the introduction sheath once any therapeutic or diagnostic devices have been removed . the closure device comprises a two - part sealing material housed in a reservoir system , a mixing chamber , a delivery cannula , exit ports , and a vessel location device . the sealing material generally comprises materials such as albumin and polyethylene glycol , or the like . the sealing device works in conjunction with the already placed sheath to eliminate the step of replacing said sheath , an action that increases procedural time and may contribute to further wound damage and reduced sealing effectiveness .