"The Know" is an informational resource concerning vein treatment options. It contains valuable information for prospective patients, physicians as well as those in the vein treatment industry. We will be regularly posting educational articles, video logs and other pertinent information. We encourage your feedback and welcome any suggestions that you feel may improve the blog.
June 2008 Blog Archive
Monday, June 30, 2008
Health Care Contractor Signs Deal for VeinViewer
Novation is the nation's leading health care contracting services company so it's a big boost to a business when this company opts to sign a deal to work with their products. They have just done so for Luminetx which is a company that is known best for making a product called VeinViewer.
"The VeinViewer is a vascular imaging system that allows physicians, nurses and other health care professionals to clearly see accessible vasculature (or lack thereof) in real time. The device uses a combination of near-infrared light and patented technologies to image vascular structures and project their location directly on the surface of the skin." (source)
This means that it offers a non-invasive method of looking at the veins which is good for the evaluation of all different types of venous problems. This machine can be used in varicose and spider vein assessment and treatment. About fifty percent of the nation's hospital admissions and surgeries are done through Novation so this could mean that we're going to see a significant surge in the use of VeinViewer for varicose vein treatment.
Question of the Day: Will VeinViewer become a highly popular vein treatment product now that Novation has signed on to support it?photo link
Friday, June 27, 2008
New Zealand Army Medics Help with Backlog of Vein Treatment Procedures
A group of army and civilian medics from New Zealand spent time recently in the Cook Islands assisting medical professionals there to catch up on a backlog of cases that hadn't been dealt with. Nearly eight different surgeries were performed by the medics in order to get doctors caught up on their work. A significant portion of these procedures were vein treatment procedures.
The medics all gathered together in one room to complete a large number of medical and dental surgeries during the time that they were there. The most common procedures besides dental procedures were gall bladder surgeries, thyroid removal and varicose vein treatment. People who had been waiting a long time for these surgeries were rapidly treated with the aid of this group.
Reports from the field indicate that the vein treatment was primarily vein stripping. This technique is not considered the most modern of options so it's curious as to why a more modern procedure, such as VNUS Closure Fast, wasn't used here. This type of treatment would've saved time during the procedures and reduced the recovery time for patients. The patients are likely just happy to have finally had the surgery, though.
Question of the Day: What causes a backlog in varicose vein treatment procedures?photo link
Thursday, June 26, 2008
UK Hospital In Trouble Over Delayed Vein Treatment
Hospitals in the UK are struggling to meet patient demand. The goal for the hospitals is to see all patients within 26 weeks of appointment request (although some patients are seen much sooner depending on their health care needs). Because of an overload of patients, some people with conditions that are not considered serious are being delayed past the 26-week target date.
People who are seeking treatment for problems with varicose veins fall into this category. These patients are not considered to be high-risk because varicose veins are considered to be more of a cosmetic condition than a medical condition. However, they can be a serious medical condition and treatment should not be delayed in those patients seeking care.
Hospitals that
recently found themselves swamped with patients have gotten in trouble for fiddling with records to hide their delays. Those varicose vein patients that were delayed past the 26-week target date had their records changed to indicate that not quite as much time as this had passed. The hospitals were caught in the act and have now apologized but something still needs to be done to make sure these patients are getting on-time treatment.
Question of the Day: Is varicose vein treatment one of the procedures that should be delayed if a hospital is struggling under the weight of too many patients?photo link
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Report Released on AngioDynamics
Research and Markets has put together a new report on AngioDynamics that compiles a profile of the company so that investors can get a better idea of whether or not they want to support the vein treatment maker as it moves forward with its business. The new report is intended to offer a strategic analysis of what AngioDynamics is all about and how the company's profile has changed with its recent acquisitions.
Information included in the report is comprehensive. Some of the topics covered include both internal and external factors affecting company performance, general company information including biographies of key employees and predictions of possible future partners for the company.
This information could be useful to those people who have been investing in vein treatment recently. The majority of large investments have gone to VNUS this year but there has been some interest in AngioDynamics and this report could help investors determine which way they want to toss their money in the months to come.
Find out how to access this report
here.
Question of the Day: Is it important to read profiles for vein treatment makers when investing money into this technology?photo link
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Vein Surgery Doesn't Have to Slow You Down
A recent article from a Cincinnati newspaper profiled a mother who is intensely involved in an athletic lifestyle. At the time that the article was written, the athlete mom was resting after having gotten treatment to remove varicose veins. However, it won't be long before she's back to her exercise activities which goes to show that having varicose vein treatment doesn't have to slow you down for long.
The mom is a bodybuilder of sorts, competing in figure competitions where her athletic appearance is judged by others. She needs to look in tip top shape for these competitions and that includes getting rid of those varicose veins. Of course, it takes a lot more than just some vein treatment to be in shape for this type of competition but it's one aspect of the exercise that she's engaged in recently.
Learn more about this interesting woman
here.
Question of the Day: How long would you want to rest before getting active after vein treatment?photo link
Monday, June 23, 2008
Temporary Camouflage Options for Varicose Veins
You have varicose veins and you haven't done anything to treat them. You've thought about it and you've meant to make a doctor's appointment to deal with them but you haven't gotten around to doing that yet. Now you want to go out somewhere that requires you to wear shorts or a skirt and you want to know what you can do to hide those veins that you haven't treated yet.
A
recent article reports two options for people who seek to camouflage their varicose veins:
1. Scar cover-up. There are products on the market that are intended to cover scars so that they can't be seen. These can also cover varicose veins so if you have an event that you want to wear shorts to, this can be a solution.
2. Support hose. Women can wear support hose that will cover the veins and prevent them from getting worse. Wearing evening wear pantyhose over the support hose will hide the support hose and the veins.
These are options for temporary hiding of varicose veins but they're not long term solutions. Call the doctor!
Question of the Day: What other methods are there of hiding or camouflaging varicose veins?photo link
Friday, June 20, 2008
AngioDynamics Finalizes Diomed Acquisition
AngioDynamics announced a few months ago that the company would be making an acquisition of some of the holdings of industry competitor Diomed. That acquisition has now
been announced as complete which means that AngioDynamics can move forward with integration of Diomed into its business plan in both the United States and the UK.
The acquisition came at a high price of $11 million. However, it is believed that this was a smart financial move because it strengthens AngioDynamics' position in the market. This will mean that varicose vein treatment in areas served both by AngioDynamics and by Diomed can now be expanded.
The employees of Diomed's holding that were purchased in the acquisition remain a part of the company and AngioDynamics says that it's happy to welcome them into the fold. The company has optimistic hopes for the near future as a result of the completion of this deal.
Question of the Day: Will AngioDynamics be able to challenge leader VNUS Medical Technologies in the industry as a result of this acquisition?photo link
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Celebrity Varicose Veins: Kristin Davis
You know Kristin Davis from the show (and now the movie )
Sex and the City. The actress is in her forties and still looking wonderful but she may have had some flaws on her body that she recently got removed.
Rumors are going around that Davis recently had varicose vein treatment to improve the appearance of her legs.
Davis hasn't confirmed these rumors but she also hasn't denied them. Nor should she. Varicose vein treatment is an easy procedure done to correct a problem that plagues many people. It's also a medical procedure that's personal to the individual getting it done so she just may not want to talk about it.
Davis has recently talked about other cosmetic issues, saying that she's aiming to be healthy and fit not super skinny like she used to when she was younger. As we age, we realize that there are certain things we can accept about our bodies. Our natural weight may be one of them; varicose veins may not.
Question of the Day: Did Kristin Davis get varicose vein treatment and if so, what procedure did she use to get the veins removed?photo link
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
HDTV Increases Attention to Varicose Veins
Ever since HDTV became the norm in many American households, small time television stars have been flocking to get cosmetic surgery procedures that they otherwise wouldn't have bothered to get. That close-up look at what they look like is a wake-up call that perhaps they aren't looking their best. And as it becomes increasingly common to record and replay our own home videos in HD, there's a good chance that the average person is going to want to consider some cosmetic work of his own.
Most of the attention that we pay to ourselves when seeing pictures or video footage is focused on the face and on body weight. As a result, these are the most common procedures that someone will get after viewing an unfavorable HD appearance of themselves. However, there are other things that we may notice as well, such as the appearance of varicose veins in the legs. We may cover them up and think nothing of it on a normal day but then we see that flash of streaked blue lines on the TV screen and we start thinking that maybe we should give a
doctor a call to find out what to do about those veins.
Question of the Day: Would you be more inclined to treat varicose veins if you saw them on yourself in HDTV?photo link
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Oprah.com Recommends Varicose Vein Treatment for Summer
CNN is currently
running an article straight off of Oprah.com which recommends a set of treatments that are right for summer. Since summer is in full swing, it's time to make appointments for these treatments now if you want to be looking your best for summer. One of the treatments mentioned is that summer's the right time to get rid of varicose veins and spider veins.
The article discusses the different options that are available to people with varicose veins and the different price tags that they come with including the inexpensice option of sclerotherapy and the more expensive (but also more efficient) option of endovenous laser treatment. Ultimately, the point of the article is that beauty comes at a price but that it's a price worth paying.
In addition to treatment of varicose veins, the article reports on other summer treatments that are recommended for the average woman. These treatments include cosmetic procedures like Botox for a sagging neck as well as basic self-care treatments like moisturizing your skin more in the summer. It's that time of year to start thinking about a change for your body.
Question of the Day: Why is summer the right time to treat varicose veins?photo link
Monday, June 16, 2008
Varicose Veins on Augmented Breasts
When we talk about getting varicose veins removed or treated, we are almost always talking about varicose veins in the legs. This is the most common place to see varicose veins and the place that most people are going to notice that they have developed a problem. However, the legs may not be the location of the varicose veins that make people the most self-conscious.
Varicose veins may occur in other parts of the body as well. Parts that don't usually have this problem may cause more embarassment or social discomfort than on the legs because people aren't as used to seeing them in these places. For example, varicose veins may develop on the breasts after
plastic surgery has been done to
enlarge them. A woman who wants people looking at her breasts probably doesn't want them seeing varicose veins there.
If you're feeling self-conscious about varicose veins on any part of your body, you should discuss the issue with your doctor and see if there is something that can be done about it. Make sure to ask about the risks involved when treating varicose veins and how these differ if treatment occurs on the body somewhere other than the legs.
Question of the Day: Would you be more or less likely to remove varicose veins that were somewhere on the body besides the legs?photo link
Friday, June 13, 2008
Get Dad a Gift He Won't Give Himself
If your dad has varicose veins and he hasn't bothered to do anything about them, maybe a good Father's Day gift for him would be a consultation with a vein treatment specialist. Older men may not feel like they should complain about their varicose veins because they're such a simple and common health issue. However, varicose veins can be painful. They're also unsightly and many men are more bothered by the cosmetics of the issue than they are willing to admit aloud. These men might want vein treatment but feel uncomfortable asking for it. A vein treatment consultation will give them the information they need to take care of the problem without requiring them to make the first move.
Sure, this isn't the gift that you would have thought your dad would always be waiting for. But it's a unique Father's Day idea that not too many people have considered in the past. Sometimes it's best to be practical. Admit it; it just might be better than whatever you were planning to give Dad in the first place!
Question of the Day: Would varicose vein treatment be a good gift for Father's Day?photo link
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Varicose Veins and the Bathing Suit Battle
There are some women who look forward to the summer months with glee. They can't wait to shed their clothes, don their swimsuits and spend a whole lot of leisurely hours at the beach. And then there are the majority of women ... women who would like to love the summer months but who can't get over the self-conscious feeling that they have in a bathing suit long enough to actually enjoy the lazy months of summer.
There are many different things that can cause women to be self-conscious in a swimsuit. Varicose veins may definitely be one of those things. Luckily, this is one of the easiest bathing suit problems to deal with. After all, it's a whole lot easier to go get a little bit of VNUS Closure Fast and then to hit the beach than it is to reduce your weight or tone your body quickly enough to be able to enjoy the summer sun.
Make sure to discuss the details of vein treament with a doctor with specific attention to any care that must be taken when being out in the sun following treatment.
Question of the Day: Would you be less self-conscious at the beach if you got rid of your varicose veins?photo link
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Experts Disagree on Future of VNUS
VNUS Medical Technologies has been getting a lot of hype in the last year and it's caused the company's stocks to soar. First they released their VNUS Closure Fast machine which was well-received in the vein treatment industry for the way that it increased the efficiency of treating varicose veins. And then the company was recently awarded about $10 million in patent litigation lawsuits. Everyone seems to think that this means that VNUS is just poised for an amazing year ahead.
However, experts are actually
divided on what the lawsuit victory means for the future performance of VNUS Medical Technologies. Some say that revenue growth is going to slow now that the litigation is done and VNUS Closure Fast is more common. Others say that it's just the beginning of what's going to be happening from VNUS this year and on into next year.
Question of the Day: How do you think the recent growth of VNUS will impact the company's performance in the months to come?photo link
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
New Vein Treatment Needle Hits Market This Year
There are many different methods of treating varicose veins and there's going to be one more method added to the array of options before the end of the year. That's because FDA approval has come through for a vein treatment needle called MicroCan and the company that makes it is planning to have it made available to the U.S. market sometime in 2008.
MicroCan is called "the tiniest needle in the universe" and is actually about half the size of the next smallest needles that are in medical use today. It was first developed for use in eye surgery but has since been approved for other uses including vein treatment.
Because of the needle's small size, it is possible to insert it completely into the skin without causing any bleeding at all. This is a painless procedure which is something that people getting vein treatment are always interested in finding. The procedure can be used to treat small varicose veins as well as spider veins.
Learn more
here.
Question of the Day: Would you be interested in reducing varicose veins through treatment by the world's smallest needle?photo link
Monday, June 09, 2008
Spotlight on VNUS Closure Fast
When VNUS Closure Fast first became available as a vein treatment option, it gained a significant amount of media attention. As with all types of news, the media interest faded over time even though the procedure has steadily gained supporters across the nation. A sudden renewed interest has developed in the procedure which has resulted in a number of new stories about it.
Just two examples of this type of media can be seen at "
Today's THV at Five" and "
Tampa Bay's 10". These reports succintly sum up what VNUS Closure Fast is all about and note that it's a great new option for treating varicose veins.
This renewed interest by the media in the procedure could be due to the fact that VNUS Medical Technologies is doing so well in the market right now. After settling its patent litigation suits, it has gained a big chunk of money and royalty rights that give it a great position in the market. This position is of interest to people who want to work with a stable company.
Question of the Day: What has caused the surge in renewed interest in VNUS Closure Fast?photo link
Friday, June 06, 2008
Barbers Silently Battle Varicose Veins
Anyone might become a victim of varicose veins but there are some professions that are more likely to cause this problem than others. Any job that requires you to stand on your feet for long periods of time will increase the likelihood that you're going to develop varicose veins. One group of people that you don't often hear complain about this problem but which experiences it extensively is
barbers.
Barbers are traditionally older men who are holding on to their place in a profession that is rapidly declining. Sure, everyone needs a haircut. But more people are going to salons and chain stores than to old-fashioned barbers. Those people still working in the job have to do all they can to hang on to sales and that often means standing on their feet even when they don't really want to, a problem which can lead to varicose veins. Of course, these people aren't too likely to gripe about that cosmetic problem but they feel it nonetheless.
Like with anyone else, barbers can engage in good varicose vein prevention to limit the impact of this problem. Making sure to move around as often as possible and to stretch the leg muscles can do wonders in reducing the development of varicose veins in people who have to stand for long periods of time.
Question of the Day: What other professions have problems with varicose veins but don't discuss the issue?photo link
Thursday, June 05, 2008
AngioDynamics Interview
The news that's taken over the headlines in the world of vein treatment this week has been the court settlement between VNUS, AngioDynamics and Vascular Solutions. Most of that news has focused on VNUS as a result of the fact that the company gained nearly $10 million in settlements plus the right to ongoing profits due to patent violations by the other two businesses. However, there are some media reports focusing on the other companies as well, such as
this extensive interview with AdngioDynamics president and CEO Eamonn P. Hobbs.
In this interview, Hobbs talks extensively about the history of AngioDynamics. He reviews how the company started and what relationship it had with its early investors. He discusses the changes that the company has experienced over time in terms of innovation as well as business decisions. And he discusses how the company plans to move forward; they're looking at existing products on the market that they can invest in to broaden their business.
Anyone who has wondered what's going to happen with AngioDynamics in the wake of the company's settlement with VNUS should read this long interview to gain a better understanding of the perspective of the company at this time. You might be surprised by everything that you learn, all of which points to plans by the company to continue growing despite these recent setbacks.
Question of the Day: What do you predict will happen for AngioDynamics in the next several years?photo link
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Varicose Veins and the Summer Heat
Summer is here again. Cities around the nation are starting to warm up. Families are planning their trips to beaches and water parks. And the varicose veins that you were ignoring all throughout the colder months are starting to become a problem again.
People often find that they can set aside thoughts of their varicose veins as long as they can cover them up with pants. Although some people experience pain related to the veins, most people don't have a significant problem with this and therefore can set the issue out of their minds.
However, with summer here, you'll find that you don't want to cover up. You want to wear skirts and sandals. You want to wear shorts. You want to wear a swimsuit. And all of these things remind you that your legs aren't looking too good with those veins mapped out all over them.
Schedule an appointment with a vein treatment specialist to address the problem. You may find that a simple procedure like VNUS Closure Fast can help you get rid of this issue once and for all. And when that's done, go get a tan because you've been hiding those legs away from the sun for way too long!
Question of the Day: Does the summer heat make you think more about the problems you have with varicose veins?photo link
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
VNUS Gets $10 Million from Patent Lawsuits
VNUS Medical Technologies has been involved in a series of patent litigation lawsuits that have been on the verge of
coming to a close for the past few months. The conclusion of that litigation is now here. AngioDynamics and
Vascular Solutions have both agreed to a
settlement in which the company can continue to make the products that are in violation of the patent lawsuit but they will have to pay upfront fees as well as an ongoing percentage of profits to VNUS. This results in approximately $10 million upfront cash to VNUS at this time, a fact which has caused already-high
stocks in the company to soar.
AngioDynamics has agreed to pay $6.8 million up front to VNUS for the violations that have occurred in the past. The company will also be paying VNUS one quarter of the royalties on the product in violation. This latter payment will be ongoing through 2017, at which time the VNUS patent expires. Vascular Solutions will be in a similar situation, making a $3.1 million upfront payment and then paying out royalties until the patent expires.
Question of the Day: Does this conclusion to the litigation make you more interested in investing in VNUS Medical Techologies?photo link
Monday, June 02, 2008
High Heels and Varicose Veins
Women who wear high heels may be more prone to getting varicose veins but that doesn't necessarily mean that they must immediately stop wearing them. By choosing heels well, wearing them properly and engaging in good varicose vein prevention, it is possible to wear high heels on a regular basis while
protecting yourself from developing varicose veins.
Women who are going to wear high heels on a regular basis should consider wearing a lower heel as opposed to a higher one. They should also invest in getting good heels that are going to allow the weight of the body to be balance more evenly across the shoe than is possible with heels that are not well made.
Women who wear high heels regularly should make sure to engage in some good habits that reduce the likelihood of developing varicose veins. One is to make sure to wear a variety of different heels and to sometimes wear flat shoes to reduce the strain on the body. Another is to regularly remove the heels throughout the day to engage in short stretching exercises of the legs.
Women who wear high heels should also pay close attention to other common methods of varicose vein prevention. Understand the use of compression stockings. Make sure to maintain a healthy weight, eat well and exercise properly. Avoid prolonged sitting as well as prolonged repetitive activity on your feet.
If varicose veins do develop, they can be treated. However, prevention of varicose veins is always a better option.
Question of the Day: Should women who are concerned about developing varicose veins be wearing high heels on a regular basis?photo link
