Vascular closure device and method of closing a vascular access hole using such a device

The present invention relates to a vascular closure device, comprising a self-expanding tubular vascular closure element, a retaining element surrounding the vascular closure element, the retaining element being arranged to hold the vascular closure element in the lumen of the retaining element in a configuration where the vascular closure element is not fully self-expanded, a tether that is threaded through the lumen of the retaining element, the tether being arranged so that, upon application of a first force to the tether which is greater than a threshold force, the tether disintegrates the retaining element so as to allow the vascular closure element to freely expand. It also relates to a system for delivering such a vascular closure device and to a method of closing a vascular access hole using a corresponding device.