Patent ID: 8182500

Claim:
A vein stripping device comprising a catheter for insertion into a vein to be removed, the catheter having a proximal region adjacent a proximal end of the catheter and a distal region adjacent a distal end of the catheter, the catheter having a plurality of vein grippers at least along the distal region of the catheter, the vein grippers comprising a plurality of holes in the wall of the catheter, the catheter being open at the distal end thereof for passage of blood through the catheter from the distal end; wherein the device further comprises: a proximal tube connected to the proximal region of the catheter; a blood collecting housing, the proximal tube extending through the blood collecting housing; a plunger which is movable through the housing to generate a vacuum in the catheter for drawing blood through the catheter from the distal end; and a plunger tube connected to and extending proximally of the plunger, the plunger tube having an opening through which blood from the proximal tube passes into the chamber proximally of the plunger.