A vascular closure device comprising a retrievable sheath-delivered contractible, clip device with structural radial or terminal members with terminal and non-terminal hooks that engage the vessel wall. Unlike other vascular closure clips, this device is delivered on the outside rather than the inside of sheath. Closure of the tissue opening can be effected by the feet of the clip engaging the puncture, aperture, or wound edges and memory characteristics of the device cause a contraction of the members, bringing the members into apposition and the wound edges together, permitting immediate vascular closure and healing of the blood vessel. The device can be delivered and recovered by an intravascular sheath.
