Veno-Merse / Harvester Device

Abstract

A veno-merse/harvester device having a handle portion, a hollow shaft portion, and a cutting portion. A fixed cannula system incorporated in the device improves the hydrostatic pressure, which allows efficient hydro-dissection with less retrograde leak of tumescent fluid and facilitates the separation of the vein from surrounding tissues with less bleeding. The veno-merse/harvester device may incorporate a camera system to allow direct visualization of the side branches to be ligated during a procedure. The self-adjustable cutting tip facilitates the forward advancement of the veno-merse/harvester device safely over a dilated portion of a vein.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A device for removing veins from the body of a patient comprising:
 a. a handle portion having first and second ends;   b. a hollow shaft portion extending from said second end of said handle portion, said shaft portion having a distal end;   c. a cutting portion extending from said distal end of said shaft portion, said cutting portion having a distal end; and   d. a cannula system for delivering a fluid near the veins fixedly incorporated within said handle portion, said hollow shaft portion and said cutting portion to form a closed system.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cannula system comprises an injection port and a tip, wherein said injection port extending from said first end of said handle portion, and said tip extending from said distal end of said cutting portion, wherein a fluid enters the injection port travels through said handle portion and said hollow shaft portion and exits at said tip. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said cannula system further comprises a one-way valve such that fluid in said cannula system flows only in one direction. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cutting portion having a generally frusto-conical shape with said distal end of said cutting portion having a wider diameter. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  further comprises a cutting tip at said distal end of said cutting portion. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said handle portion having a first cross-sectional distance and said hollow shaft portion having a second cross-sectional distance, and said first cross-sectional distance being larger than said second cross-sectional distance. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said distal end of said shaft portion is sealed except for said cannula system. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said cutting portion having an opening for percutaneous division of the veins. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 5  wherein said cutting tip is circular. 
     
     
         10 . A device for removing veins from the body of a patient and providing visualization of the veins at a remove display device comprising:
 a. a handle portion having first and second ends;   b. a hollow shaft portion extending from said second end of said handle portion, said shaft portion having a distal end;   c. a cutting portion extending from said distal end of said shaft portion, said cutting portion having a distal end; and   d. a camera system for direct visualization of the veins, comprises a camera within said cutting portion and a transmission device within said shaft portion, wherein said camera captures said visualization and said transmission device transmits said visualization to a remote display device.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein said camera system further comprises a light source within said cutting portion. 
     
     
         12 . A device for removing veins from the body of a patient comprising:
 a. a handle portion having first and second ends;   b. a hollow shaft portion extending from said second end of said handle portion, said shaft portion having a distal end;   c. a cutting portion extending from said distal end of said shaft portion having a third cross-sectional distance; and   d. means for adjusting said third cross-sectional distance of said cutting portion.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein said adjusting means comprises at least two cutting sections overlappingly, matingly and pivotably connected to each other forming said cutting portion, each of said cutting sections having a distal end. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  further comprising a cutting tip at said distal ends of said cutting sections.