Preparation For Endovenous Laser Ablation

Abstract

Improved systems and methods for removing blood from a blood vessel in preparation for endovenous laser ablation are described. The improved methods include one or more of: placing the patient in the Trendelenburg position, applying external compression around the vein, massaging the vein, cooling the vein externally, encouraging spasming of the vein, and removing blood with a suction device.

1 . An endovenous system for treating a varicose vein of a patient, the system comprising a laser having a wavelength between about 1.2 and 2.5 um to heat and shrink collagen, a mechanism for exsanguinating the varicosed vein, and an endovenous fiber optic laser delivery device for endovenously transmitting the laser energy directly into the varicosed vein. 
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for exsanguinating the varicosed vein is apparatus for maintaining the patient in the Trendelenburg position. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for exsanguinating the varicosed vein is a flexible bandage suitable for wrapping the leg of the patient, thereby forcing blood out of the vein. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for exsanguinating the varicosed vein is a massage device, wherein when the massage device is applied externally to the leg of the patient, blood will be exsanguinated from the vein. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for exsanguinating the varicosed vein is a cooling device for cooling the leg of a patient, thereby causing the vein to constrict. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an ultrasound handpiece is used to compress the vein and visually determine if any blood is left in the vein. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising means to cause the vein to spasm, thereby causing constriction of the vein. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the vein spasm is caused by vibrating or moving a catheter when it is inside the vein. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein a vasoconstricting drug is applied near the vein, thereby causing the vein to constrict. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the vasoconstricting drug comprises epinephrine. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a suction device is used to remove blood from the vein. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said flexible bandage is removed after the blood is removed from the vein, after tumescent anesthesia is injected, and prior to an endovenous laser ablation being performed on said vein. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a femoral block is injected into the leg of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . An endovenous system of treating a varicose vein of a patient, the system comprising using a laser having a wavelength between about 1.2 and 2.5 um to heat and shrink collagen in a varicosed vessel, the laser energy transmitted via fiber optic laser delivery device directly into the varicosed vein from which blood has been sufficiently drained. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein blood is removed from the vein by placing the patient in the Trendelenburg position. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a leg of the patient is wrapped in a flexible bandage, thereby forcing blood out of the vein. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the vein is massaged externally by hand to exsanguinate blood from the vein. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the leg is cooled, thereby causing the vein to constrict. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein an ultrasound handpiece is used to compress the vein and visually determine if any blood is left in the vein. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising mechanism for causing the vain to spasm, thereby causing constriction of the vein. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the vein spasm is caused by vibrating or moving a catheter when it is inside the vein. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a vasoconstricting drug is applied near the vein, thereby causing the vein to constrict. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein said vasoconstricting drug comprises epinephrine. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a suction device is used to remove blood from the vein. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said flexible bandage is removed after the blood is removed from the vein, after tumescent anesthesia is injected, and prior to an endovenous laser ablation being performed on said vein. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a femoral block is injected into the leg of the patient.