At the Laser and Varicose Vein Treatment Center, we take great pride in utilizing the most advanced laser systems available, including the Dornier D940 Laser. The D940 helps us to provide the highest quality of care and safety in removing Spider and Varicose veins, through it’s unique 904nm wavelength and it’s patented Laser Fiber Protection System (LPS).
The Procedure
Until recently, the removal of varicose veins required the actual stripping of the vein – a surgical procedure that requires an overnight hospital stay, a painful recovery period – and possible scarring from incisions and post-operative infections.
The FDA-cleared Endoluminal Laser Ablation of the Greater Saphenous Vein (ELAS) procedure may sound complicated – but it’s actually a very quick, one-time, minimally invasive therapy, which causes little or no side effects and has shown to be highly effective in eliminating varicose veins.
During the 45-minute procedure, the involved area of your leg is anesthetized and a thin laser fiber is placed into the affected vein. Your physician will then deliver laser energy via the fiber to damage and eventually eliminate the vein. This relieves the varicose leg pain as well. Once the laser energy has been applied, the fiber is removed and a compression bandage is put on your leg. Walking immediately following the procedure is encouraged, and normal activities can be immediately resumed.
The D940 laser system produces the highly unique 940 nm wavelength, which safely passes through the skin and is selectively absorbed by the targeted blood vessel. The vein will gradually disappear, leaving the skin intact.
Men, women and even children, including light- and dark-pigmented individuals, can be successfully treated. Your skin is cooled with ice or a cold compress (in some cases a topical anesthesia) to minimize the mild heat sensation. The length and number of procedures vary, depending on your particular circumstance, but usually last between 15 and 30 minutes each and are normally done in one, two or three appointments.
Side effects are uncommon and usually minimal. Patients often experience a slight redness following treatment – but this goes away within a few days. Our doctors will clearly explain what to expect and provide detailed instructions for you following treatment.
"It is very satisfying for me to see patients leave our center with remarkable results." - Inam U. Haq, M.D.
Advantages
The highly unique light of a 940 nm wavelength ensures precise targeting of spider veins because of its:
- Deep penetration
- Optimal absorption characteristics for hemoglobin (3x more than an 810 or 1064 nm laser)
- Optimal absorption characteristics for water (10x more than an 810 nm laser, and 3x more than a 1064 nm laser)
- Minimal melanin absorption when compared to other lasers (3x less than an 810 nm laser, which enables treatment of darker skin-types)
These absorption characteristics result in a safer and more effective treatment for both spider and varicose veins.
Dornier’s patented laser fiber protection system (LPS) automatically shuts off when it detects charring within the fiber tips, which absorbs laser light and produces unwanted damaging heat.
