of the cutting element which produces the cutting in an orderly or automatic manner the following figure illustrates the cutting apparatus being removed after the suture has been cut other elements of the vascular closure device are not shown in these illustrations but include an anchor plug and cinch disk for example the suture cutter must be sufficiently flexible to allow for access and use as examples the cutter assembly extension can be made of a polymer or slotted metal tube which have sufficient strength but are flexible in bending in an automated version the handle end of the cutting apparatus has steps attachments latch components linkages or other features so that the motion of the cutter assembly extension the cutting element and the suture extension are actuated from the delivery system handle the cutter can be advanced during plug compression and the cutting element retracted to cut the suture in a coordinated and automated manner during the device deployment sequence using manual forces and displacements latch release spring deployments motor driven displacements or other means the suture can be a continuous length of suture from the anchor through the plug and cinch disk all the way to the handle a predetermined amount of suture extension can be accommodated such as that obtained by a force actuated triggering of the suture cutting alternatively a shorter length of suture can be coupled to a suture extension such as a more rigid filament wire or tube structure such as by swaging fastening using a tubing fastener or other bonding means the suture extension can reduce the total displacement due to stretching of the suture during deployment of the vascular closure device enhancing the positional control and improving the reliability.