Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating veins. In the subject method, the skin is pierced with the sharpened tip of a fiber optic probe. The probe is advanced to a location underneath the vessel to be treated. Once in position, the vessel is irradiated with a treatment beam having a fluence sufficient to coagulate and collapse the vessel at that location. The procedure is then repeated at multiple sites along the length of the vessel so that it will collapse along its length and no longer carry any blood. In the preferred embodiment, a curved probe is used to facilitate the insertion of the tip under the vessel.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for treating veins. In the subject method, the skin is pierced with the sharpened tip of a fiber optic probe. The probe is advanced to a location underneath the vessel to be treated. Once in position, the vessel is irradiated with a treatment beam having a fluence sufficient to coagulate and collapse the vessel at that location. The procedure is then repeated at multiple sites along the length of the vessel so that it will collapse along its length and no longer carry any blood. In the preferred embodiment, a curved probe is used to facilitate the insertion of the tip under the vessel.

Abstract: A method of treating vascular lesions is disclosed which includes using a focused beam from a high energy, carbon dioxide laser to irradiate a spot on the surface of the skin over the vessel to be treated. The carbon dioxide output wavelength is highly absorbed by the tissue. By using short, high energy pulses, a small volume of skin can be vaporized or ablated with each pulse with little thermal damage beyond the ablated region. Using multiple pulses, a small channel is drilled in the skin until the vessel is reached. The laser energy absorbed by the blood in the vessel will cause it to coagulate and collapse. This procedure is then repeated at multiple sites along the length of the vessel so that it will collapse and no longer carry any blood.