Medtronic is introducing in the U.S. the VenaSeal Closure System, a device originally developed by Sapheon for treatment of symptomatic venous reflux. Sapheon was purchased by Covidien, which itself later merged with Medtronic.
The VenaSeal “superglue” procedure delivers a medical adhesive directly into a vessel, closing it off from within and so not requiring an invasive surgery.
The adhesive is pumped through a intravenous catheter and an ultrasound probe is used to locate the distal tip of the device. As the glue is released, compression is immediately applied externally by the clinician’s fingers. The catheter is retracted a few centimeters and the glue is applied again. This is repeated for the entire length of the vessel section that needs to be closed and the patient is free to go home shortly after with only a bandage to show for it.
Here’s a short animation describing the procedure:
Product page: VenaSeal…
Source: Medtronic…