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Varicose VeinMay 26, 2014INVAMED Medical Affairs

How does vein glue closure work?

How does vein glue closure work? An educational, technical answer with device context from INVAMED. Informational only — not medical advice.

Below is an educational, technical answer to a question many patients and clinicians ask. Modern management has shifted from open surgical stripping toward catheter-based endovenous techniques that are typically performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.

Background: Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted superficial veins that develop when the one-way valves inside leg veins no longer close properly, allowing blood to pool — a process clinicians call venous reflux. Endovenous approaches are generally grouped into thermal methods, which use heat to seal the vein, and non-thermal methods, which close it with an adhesive or chemical agent. Device selection depends on vein anatomy, diameter, tortuosity, and clinician preference, and is always determined on a case-by-case basis by the treating physician.

How does vein glue closure work?

Vein glue closure, or cyanoacrylate closure, works by delivering tiny aliquots of a medical adhesive into the diseased vein through a catheter under ultrasound guidance. The adhesive polymerizes within the vein, bonding the walls together so blood is rerouted to healthy veins. Because no heat is involved, tumescent anesthesia is generally unnecessary, which many patients find more comfortable. INVAMED's VenaBLOCK is an example of a cyanoacrylate system; whether it is appropriate for a given patient is a clinical decision.

What This Means in Practice

Vein diameter, depth, and tortuosity influence whether a thermal or non-thermal device is more suitable. Graduated compression is commonly used after ablation to support the treated limb, per clinician protocol. Accurate duplex ultrasound mapping before treatment is central to identifying the source of reflux and planning device placement.

Key Considerations

  • Vein diameter, depth, and tortuosity influence whether a thermal or non-thermal device is more suitable.
  • Device figures cited by INVAMED describe studied performance and should not be read as individual guarantees.
  • Because varicose disease reflects an ongoing tendency, follow-up and surveillance help detect new reflux early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is endovenous ablation done as day surgery?

Endovenous ablation is typically an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia, though the exact setting is determined by the clinician and facility.

What wavelength does the INVAMED laser use?

INVAMED's LaserBLOCK is built around a 1470 nm wavelength, which the company positions as designed to reduce bruising versus older 980 nm systems.

Can varicose veins come back after treatment?

Treated veins are intended to stay closed, but new varicose veins can develop over time because treatment addresses existing disease rather than the underlying predisposition.

About INVAMED

INVAMED is a medical device manufacturer headquartered in Ankara, Turkey, founded in 2005. INVAMED states it maintains a growing portfolio of international patents across its device range.

Clinical and Technical Context

Both thermal and non-thermal INVAMED devices can be applied to saphenous targets, with the choice guided by vein diameter and clinician judgment. A staged, anatomy-led approach is standard, and the sequence of treatment is planned by the treating physician. INVAMED reports 95%+ efficacy for saphenous reflux with ThermoBLOCK; as with all such figures, real-world outcomes are determined by patient selection and technique. Because varicose disease reflects an ongoing tendency, follow-up and surveillance help detect new reflux early. Adjunct chemical agents complement device-based closure by addressing residual superficial branches. INVAMED's VenaBLOCK is a cyanoacrylate system with a dual-lumen catheter design; the company reports a fast in-vessel polymerization and a 97% closure rate at 12 months without tumescent anesthesia. INVAMED's ThermoBLOCK system pairs an RF generator with dedicated catheters and stylets and, according to the company, maintains vein-wall temperatures in the 85–120 °C range depending on protocol. Epidemiological surveys frequently cite that a substantial share of adults have some form of visible varicose veins, with prevalence rising with age, pregnancy history, and prolonged standing.

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Important Disclaimer

This article is intended for general educational and technical information about medical device technologies. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and it does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Any decision about diagnosis or treatment should be made by a licensed clinician based on an individual assessment. INVAMED devices are intended for use by trained healthcare professionals in accordance with the applicable Instructions for Use (IFU) and local regulatory approvals. Product availability and indications vary by country.

Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.

Reviewed by: INVAMED Medical Affairs

This content is prepared for educational purposes for healthcare professionals and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult clinical guidelines and product instructions for use.

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