Endovascular laser device and treatment of varicose veins
DCFirst Claim
1. A blood vessel treatment device comprising:
- means adapted for insertion into a blood vessel; and
means adapted for intraluminal contact with a wall of said blood vessel, for emitting laser energy to cause a decrease in the diameter of said blood vessel.
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for treating blood vessels using endovascular techniques to deliver laser energy. Percutaneous access into the vein lumen will be obtained using an angiocatheter through which a fiber optic line will be introduced. The vein will be emptied of blood using elevation of the limb, patient positioning, compression, or other means. Laser energy will be delivered into the vein lumen using wavelengths from about 532 nanometers to about 1064 nanometers. Sufficient power and duration will be used to damage the entire thickness of the vein wall, ultimately causing fibrosis of the treated blood vessel. Fibrosis of the treated blood vessel causes the blood vessel to decrease in diameter or collapse.
173 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A blood vessel treatment device comprising:
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means adapted for insertion into a blood vessel; and
means adapted for intraluminal contact with a wall of said blood vessel, for emitting laser energy to cause a decrease in the diameter of said blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of treating a blood vessel using laser energy, comprising the steps of:
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inserting means for emitting laser energy into the blood vessel at a puncture site, wherein said emitting means has a laser emitting section;
placing said laser emitting section of said emitting means into intraluminal contact with the blood vessel at a treatment site; and
emitting said laser energy into the blood vessel through said laser emitting section of said emitting means, thereby decreasing the diameter of said blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
removing said emitting means after applying said laser energy;
placing foam pads over said puncture site;
placing foam pads over the blood vessel; and
applying a compression means over said foam pads.
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21. A method of treating a blood vessel using laser energy, comprising the steps of:
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inserting means for emitting laser energy into the blood vessel at a puncture site, wherein said emitting means has a laser emitting section;
placing said laser emitting section of said emitting means into intraluminal contact with the blood vessel at a treatment site;
emptying the blood vessel; and
emitting said laser energy into the blood vessel through said laser emitting section of said emitting means, thereby decreasing the diameter of said blood vessel.
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Specification