Abstract: The present invention is a method and device for harvesting a vessel. The vessel harvester comprises an internal stenting catheter with proximal and distal ends, a sheath catheter with proximal and distal ends, and a cylindrical cutting tube that is attachable to the distal end of the sheath catheter. The vessel harvester is used to harvest vesseal such as the greater and lesser saphenous veins, the basilic vein, the cephalic vein, and the radial artery.

Abstract: The surgical apparatus comprises a needle extending from an end of an elongated shaft and having a sharpened tip. A cylindrical sleeve is concentrically disposed around the shaft and is adapted to move in sliding engagement with the shaft along an axial extent thereof. The needle and the cylindrical sleeve further have respective facing surfaces that are adapted to come into direct contact by movement of the cylindrical sleeve into close proximity with the needle. The facing surfaces define a gripping region therebetween, and by moving the cylindrical sleeve relative to the shaft, the length of gripping region can be varied. The needle permits the formation of an incision through a skin layer adjacent to a varicose vein, and the gripping region can selectively engage the varicose vein to permit removal of a selected portion thereof through the incision.

Abstract: A surgical method including the steps of forming an incision through a skin layer adjacent to a varicose vein with a single surgical device, and engaging the varicose vein with the single surgical device to permit removal of a selected portion thereof through the incision. The selected portion of the varicose vein is ligated subsequent to removal through the incision.

Abstract: A minimally invasive method for treating a varicose vein is provided. Generally, the method includes the opening of at least one small incision through a skin layer of the patient adjacent to the varicose vein. The varicose vein is then at least partially obstructed through the small incision. Thereafter, the incision is closed by conventional techniques. More specifically, the vein is at least partially obstructed by threading a suture through the small incision that extends through at least a portion of the vein. A plurality of small incisions in close proximity with the vein are opened with at least one of the plurality of small incisions being substantially centered over the vein. The suture is threaded through the substantially centered incision so that the suture penetrates through at least a portion of the vein. The suture is then withdrawn through another one of the plurality of small incisions.

Abstract: A minimally invasive percutaneous ligation method for treating a varicose vein is provided. The junction between the varicose vein and the deep veins of the patient's leg are first ligated by conventional techniques. Then, a sterile closure is pierced through a skin layer adjacent to a varicose region of the vein such that at least a portion of the sterile closure remains external to the skin layer. The varicose vein is at least partially obstructed with the sterile closure to promote intentional scarring of the vein. Finally, the sterile closure is removed back through the skin layer after a sufficient amount of scarring of the vein has occurred. The sterile closure may comprise a surgical staple, a pin or a screw.

Abstract: A method of testing a cellular hematologic fluid derived from a mammal to determine the existence in the mammal of a pathological state or condition wherein an immunomodulator is admixed with the cellular hematologic fluid of the mammal and a reaction parameter determined and compared with known reaction parameters of cellular hematologic fluids of mammals of known healthy states to like immunomodulator. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reaction parameter is a clotting parameter as determined as fibrin levels.