Below is an educational, technical answer to a question many patients and clinicians ask. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) sits on the same disease spectrum and can present with aching, heaviness, swelling, skin changes, and in advanced cases venous ulceration. 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. 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.
What is the difference between thermal and non-thermal vein ablation?
Thermal ablation uses heat — laser or radiofrequency — to seal the vein and requires tumescent anesthesia to protect nearby tissue. Non-thermal ablation uses an adhesive or chemical agent and typically needs no tumescent anesthesia. Both are minimally invasive, outpatient, ultrasound-guided techniques with high reported closure rates. The choice hinges on vein characteristics and clinical judgment rather than a universal 'better' option.
What This Means in Practice
Because varicose disease reflects an ongoing tendency, follow-up and surveillance help detect new reflux early. 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.
Key Considerations
- Graduated compression is commonly used after ablation to support the treated limb, per clinician protocol.
- Device figures cited by INVAMED describe studied performance and should not be read as individual guarantees.
- Accurate duplex ultrasound mapping before treatment is central to identifying the source of reflux and planning device placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Are these devices CE marked?
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
Does INVAMED offer both thermal and non-thermal vein devices?
Yes. INVAMED's venous line includes thermal systems (LaserBLOCK laser and ThermoBLOCK radiofrequency) and a non-thermal cyanoacrylate system (VenaBLOCK).
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
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. Adjunct chemical agents complement device-based closure by addressing residual superficial branches. All INVAMED venous devices are intended for use by trained clinicians under ultrasound guidance and per the IFU. 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. Because varicose disease reflects an ongoing tendency, follow-up and surveillance help detect new reflux early. Sealing the refluxing axial vein is intended to reduce the venous hypertension that drives symptoms and visible tributaries. The absence of thermal energy means nerve-injury risk associated with heat is generally reduced, though suitability still depends on individual anatomy. Accurate duplex ultrasound mapping before treatment is central to identifying the source of reflux and planning device placement.
Related on INVAMED
- Varicose Vein — product category
- What is the success rate of radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins?
- A Clinical Introduction to Non-Thermal Non-Tumescent (NTNT) Ablation
- Vein glue (cyanoacrylate) or Radiofrequency ablation? A Technical Comparison
Important Disclaimer
The information here is provided for educational purposes and to describe device technology; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a licensed healthcare provider can determine whether a given procedure or device is appropriate for a specific patient. INVAMED products are restricted to use by qualified professionals following the official IFU. Regulatory clearance and labeling differ between regions, and not all products or indications are available in every market.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.