abstract |
Safe and convenient methods and devices for inexpensively and rapidly treating pseudoaneurysms and other subcutaneous pools of blood utilize an apparatus with an applicator that can be grasped by a user at its proximal end and which has a distal portion that can be percutaneously inserted into a pseudoaneurysm. The distal portion has at least one retaining structure on at least one surface; the retaining structure(s) serve to collectively retain a clotting agent as the distal portion is inserted into the pseudoaneurysm. The clotting agent in the retaining structure(s) is exposed to blood in the pseudoaneurysm and initiates a clotting cascade. Since the clotting agent is in the retaining structure(s) and is not forcibly injected into the blood, the clotting cascade causes blood to clot at or near the surface of the applicator. The clot is associated with the applicator until the distal portion of the applicator is removed from the pseudoaneurysm. Removing the applicator causes the patient's tissue to wipe the clot off of the applicator so that the clot remains in the pseudoaneurysm. |