Surgery – Instruments – Cutting – puncturing or piercing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-20
2001-05-01
Recla, Henry J. (Department: 3731)
Surgery
Instruments
Cutting, puncturing or piercing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224618
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to medical devices and more particularly to devices for treatment of spider veins.
BACKGROUND
Spider veins, are a common cosmetic problem. They occur in approximately eighty million people, mostly Caucasian females. When severe they may be so unsightly as to deter the wearing of clothing such as shorts or skirts and may show through hosiery.
The cause is thought to be related to estrogen and/or venous insufficiency. Current treatment consists of sclerotherapy or laser treatment by cauterizing the veins. In Suval, U.S. Pat. No. 5,792,168 there is shown a device for treating varicose veins which includes a needle having a hook to capture the vein for removal from the incision. However, destroying the veins in situ does not work because veins will recannulize. Therefore, physically removing veins or interrupting their continuity appears to be the best hope for treatment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided according to the present invention a device and method for treatment of spider veins which includes providing a needle having a longitudinal axis and having at one end a tip shaped to puncture the skin. In this regard the tip may be beveled. The tip includes a slot to receive the spider vein to be treated. The needle is used to puncture the skin to locate the spider vein in the slot. Means are provided such as by providing a handle of a powered tool for axially rotating the needle to sever the spider vein. Once the vein is severed, the needle is withdrawn from the tissue. Because the spider vein is severed from connected veins, it no longer receives a blood supply and the severed vein dissolves or loses it red hue to no longer be visible. The puncture wound from the needle is small, is treated with sterile bandages and heals quickly without any significant scaring. Further because the puncture wound is small the risk if infection is minimized. By serially treating spider veins in a like manner, the discoloration of spider veins is eliminated or significantly reduced.
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patent: WO 94/21177 (1994-09-01), None
Anderson Philip J.
Anderson & Morishita, LLC
Bui Vy O.
Recla Henry J.
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