Veno-Merse / Harvester Device

Abstract

A veno-merse/harvester device having a handle portion, a hollow shaft portion, and a cutting portion. A fixed cannula system incorporated in the device improves the hydrostatic pressure, which allows efficient hydro-dissection with less retrograde leak of tumescent fluid and facilitates the separation of the vein from surrounding tissues with less bleeding. The veno-merse/harvester device may incorporate a camera system to allow direct visualization of the side branches to be ligated during a procedure. The self-adjustable cutting tip facilitates the forward advancement of the veno-merse/harvester device safely over a dilated portion of a vein.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to medical devices and in particular, a device for removal of veins from the body.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Veins are typically removed from the lower and upper extremities of the body for treating varicose veins, as well as harvesting veins for bypass procedures. Many prior art devices have been used in the past 100 years for removing the varicose veins of the lower extremities. Virtually all of them require major anesthesia at the hospital with potential complications and post-operative pain.[0003]The practice of varicose vein treatment has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, making it an out-patient and less painful procedure, without the need for major anesthesia. The inventor's original harvester device and its subsequent improved version, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,163,547 and 7,632,289 and incorporated herein by reference, are used to remove the varicose veins of the lower extremities under local (tu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The present invention provides a veno-merse / harvester device that allows effective hydro-dissection of veins from the body by providing a fixed cannula system. The fixed cannula system is incorporated into the harvester device of the present invention, with the injection port being part of the handle portion and the tip being part of the cutting portion. A one-way valve is provided in the cannula system to create much higher forward pressure of fluid used in the cannula system.

[0010]The present invention provides a veno-merse / harvester device that provides a camera system that allows direct visualization of the surrounding tissues and veins being harvested. The camera system is incorporated into the shaft portion and cutting end of the harvester device of the present invention.

[0011]The present invention provides a veno-merse / harvester device that allows effective forward advancement of the device over a dilated portion of a vein by providing a self-adjustable cutting tip. The cutting portion includes the self-adjustable cutting tip that has at least two sections that pivotally move to accommodate an enlarged vein.

[0012]The veno-merse / harvester device of the present invention may be used to easily remove the veins in the lower extremities (e.g., the long saphenous vein) as well as the straight veins in the upper extremities (e.g., the cephalic vein) using the power of hydro dissection to separate the veins from the surrounding tissues and fat, facilitating an effortless removal of the veins. Mixing of the dissection fluid with local anesthesia allows the anesthetization of tissue surrounding the vein, and when coupled with the one-way valve, allowing forward hydro-dissection, significantly easing the advancement of the device.

Problems solved by technology

Such moveable needle has limited forward pressure due to leakage of fluid in a retrograde manner.

As a result, the effectiveness of hydro-dissection and the anesthetic agent are reduced.

An enlarged segment of the saphenous vein that is larger than the rest of the trunk may interfere with the forward advancement of the harvester device.

Prior art harvester devices also do not provide a direct visual field of the surrounding tissues and veins being harvested.

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