apparatus for sealing a vascular wall penetration disposed at the end of the tissue tract comprises a shaft , an optional occlusion element , a hydratable hemostatic implant , and a protective sleeve . the apparatus is deployed through the tissue tract with the occlusion element optionally occluding the vascular wall penetration and inhibiting backbleeding therethrough . the hydratable hemostatic implant , which will typically be a biodegradable polymer such as collagen carrying an anti - proliferative agent or coagulation promoter , will then be deployed from the sealing apparatus by retracting the protective sleeve and left in place to enhance closure of the vascular wall penetration with minimum scarring . the hydratable implant will be protected from premature hydration and swelling by a soluble plug covering the implant &# 39 ; s distal end prior to sleeve retraction .