| abstract |
A method and apparatus for the non-surgical treatment of venous disorders and varicose veins wherein a flexible catheter (12) is inserted into a varicose vein of a patient to be treated, guiding the catheter to the initial branch of the vein while viewing and monitoring blood flow therein to assure proper position and directing a treatment through the catheter to treat the varicose vein. The catheter of the invention includes first and second passages (18, 20) for directing a fluid and treatment to the distal end (16) of the catheter, first and second fiber bundles (22, 24) to illuminate and view the vein, at least one piezoelectric crystal (26) located on the distal end (16) of the catheter (12) for monitoring areas adjacent thereto and a guide wire (28) for guiding the distal end (16) of the catheter (12) through the veins of the patient. |