Devices, systems, and methods for suturing of body lumens allow the suturing
of vascular puncture sites located at the distal end of a percutaneous tissue tract.
An elongated articulated foot near a distal end of a shaft is inserted through
the penetration and actuated so that the foot extends along the lumenal axis. The
foot carries suturing attachment cuffs, and needles are advanced from the shaft
through the vessel wall outside of the penetration and into engagement with the
needle cuffs after the foot has been drawn proximally up against the endothelial
surface of the blood vessel. The cross-section of the shaft within the tissue tract
can be minimized by laterally deflecting the needles as they leave the shaft, while
tapered depressions within the foot can guide the advancing needles into engagement
with the cuffs. The cuffs lockingly engage the needles and can be withdrawn proximally
along the needle paths and through the tissue tract so as to form a loop of suture
across the puncture. The articulating foot may be realigned with the shaft and
withdrawn proximally through the tissue tract without dilating the tissue tract.