Veclose

The VenaSeal closure system received pre-market approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of symptomatic venous reflux.

VenaSeal is a minimally invasive procedure, which uses a proprietary medical adhesive to close superficial veins of the lower extremities, such as the great saphenous vein, in patients with symptomatic venous reflux.

The physician, using ultrasound, directs a catheter through a small access site in the leg and into the diseased area of the vein.

Once in place, the physician distributes the VenaSeal adhesive at various points in a segmental fashion, and with manual compression, closes the vein. Blood is re-routed through other healthy veins in the leg.

According to the firm, the approach eliminates the risk of burning or nerve injury that is sometimes associated with thermal-based procedures, and is administered without the use of tumescent anesthesia.

VeClose trial national principal investigator Dr Nick Morrison said: "One-year results of the VeClose pivotal study, that led to the approval of VenaSeal closoure system in the US, continue to demonstrate safety and efficacy of the procedure, with closure rates of 97.2%."

Medtronic aortic and peripheral vascular division endoVenous business general manager and vice-president Sandra Lesenfant said: "Medtronic today furthers our commitment to providing treatment options for patients with symptomatic venous reflux, a disease that can significantly impact quality of life."

The VenaSeal system is also available in New Zealand, Chile, South Africa, Australia, Canada, Europe, the UAE and Hong Kong, in addition to the US.

In October this year, the firm introduced a new version of its superDimension navigation system software, which provides a minimally invasive approach to access difficult-to-reach areas of the lung, allowing diagnosis of lung diseases.


Image: Medtronic’s VenaSeal closure system. Photo: courtesy of Medtronic plc.