An apparatus for closing an opening in body tissue, the apparatus comprising:a closing device, including:a base section,a longitudinal axis, anda plurality of anchoring members joined by the base section, each anchoring member including a tip, and having a constrained configuration and an unconstrained configuration, wherein when the anchoring members move from the constrained configuration toward the unconstrained configuration, the tips move toward the longitudinal axis, anda catheter including an external surface configured to force the anchoring members into the constrained configuration, wherein advancement of the closing device along the catheter releases the anchoring members from the external surface, allowing the anchoring members to move from the constrained configuration toward the unconstrained configuration.
