Abstract: An interspinous fusion device includes a central body defining a longitudinal direction and configured to be inserted between two adjacent spinous processes; and a proximal body and a distal body, opposite to each other with respect to the central body and configured to relatively translate towards each other along the longitudinal direction. A pair of proximal jaws and a pair of distal jaws opposite to each other with respect to the central body are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction, and have a first end connected by hinges to the proximal body or to the distal body and a second end configured to abut against a spinous process. An actuation system percutaneously actuates the proximal and distal bodies to cause relative translation and rotation of the jaws about the proximal body and the distal body, thereby opening and closing the jaws.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating varicose veins, which comprises: pre-treating a target vein segment with a pulsed laser radiation having a wavelength of from 1400 to 2300 nm, thereby causing a substantial diameter reduction of the target vein segment; delivering a sclerosing agent to the pre-treated target vein segment, thereby causing occlusion of the vein. The sclerosing agent is preferably a foam sclerosing agent. The above method in particularly effective also for larger veins, especially veins exceeding 10 mm of diameter, without causing major discomfort to the patients, and which has a very limited risk of side effects, such as those deriving from the injection of relatively large amounts of sclerosing agent or from damages to the vessel endothelium.