Focused ultrasound is a noninvasive, therapeutic technology with the potential to improve the quality of life and decrease the cost of care for patients with varicose veins. This novel technology focuses beams of ultrasound energy precisely and accurately on targets in the body without damaging surrounding normal tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How it Works<\/strong> Advantages<\/strong> For certain patients, focused ultrasound could provide a noninvasive alternative to these techniques with less risk of neurologic problems, phlebitis, wound issues, or other complications. It also requires no intravenous catheters, surgery, or anesthesia and can be repeated as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> using the Sonoblate High Intensity Focused Ultrasound system is recruiting patients with chronic venous incompetence for treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A\u202fmulti-site clinical trial<\/strong><\/a> testing the Sonovein system for treatment of greater saphenous vein disease has been completed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Foundation updates these pages regularly, but with the increasing number of clinical trials, we want to be sure that our audience has the latest information available. Therefore, we also added the website search information for the above trials. If you click here<\/strong><\/a>, it will take you to the latest information available from https:\/\/www.clinicaltrials.gov\/<\/strong><\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Search for a treatment center or clinical trial near you.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Theraclion’s Echopulse<\/strong><\/a> has achieved the CE Mark in Europe for its SONOVEIN\u00ae system after successful clinical trials. Chabouni\u00a0S, Kashi M, Chauvel O, Dakhil B, Zaimi R, Pons JL, Bagan P.\u00a0Assessing the effectiveness and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound in treating venous insufficiency using a hemodynamic approach<\/strong><\/a>. Phlebology. 2026 Jan 21:2683555261418961.\u00a0doi: 10.1177\/02683555261418961. PMID: 41563076\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Casoni P, Nanni E, Pizzamiglio M, Bissacco D. High intensity focused ultrasound in treating incompetent perforator veins<\/strong><\/a>. Phlebology. 2025 Dec;40(10):793-799. doi: 10.1177\/02683555251338767. Epub 2025 Apr 27. PMID: 40289404 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pichot O, Ganeau A, Combes P, Millet C, Derang\u00e8re V, Lafon C. Non thermal HIFU treatment for vein occlusion: Histological evidence from a pre-clinical animal study. Phlebology<\/a><\/strong>. 2025 Nov 28:2683555251400570. doi: 10.1177\/02683555251400570. PMID: 41316803 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rodr\u00edguez Carvajal R, Ruales Romero A, L\u00e1inez Rube R, Hern\u00e1ndez Carbonell T. Extra-Corporeal thermal ablation with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound for superficial venous insufficiency: Preliminary results at twelve months follow-up<\/strong><\/a>. Phlebology. 2025 Oct;40(9):702-712. doi: 10.1177\/02683555251333010. Epub 2025 Apr 15. PMID: 40233498 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Casoni P, Bissacco D, Pizzamiglio M, Nanni E. High intensity focused ultrasound in treating great saphenous vein incompetence: Perioperative and 1-year outcomes<\/strong><\/a>. Phlebology. 2024 Apr 1:2683555241243161. doi: 10.1177\/02683555241243161. PMID: 38560785 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Obermayer A, Aubry JF, Barnat N. Extracorporeal Treatment with High Intensity Focused Ultrasound of an Incompetent Perforating Vein in a Patient with Active Venous Ulcers<\/strong><\/a>. EJVES Vasc Forum. 2020 Dec 5;50:1-5. doi: 10.1016\/j.ejvsvf.2020.11.005. eCollection 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barnat N, Grisey A, Gerold B, Yon S, Anquez J, Aubry JF. Vein wall shrinkage induced by thermal coagulation with high-intensity-focused ultrasound: numerical modeling and in vivo experiments in sheep<\/strong><\/a>. Int J Hyperthermia. 2020;37(1):1238-1247. doi: 10.1080\/02656736.2020.1834626.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whiteley MS. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of varicose veins and venous leg ulcers – a new non-invasive procedure and a potentially disruptive technology<\/strong><\/a>. Curr Med Res Opin. 2019 Dec 6:1-4. doi: 10.1080\/03007995.2019.1699518.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barnat N, Grisey A, Lecuelle B, Anquez J, Gerold B, Yon S, Aubry JF. Noninvasive vascular occlusion with HIFU for venous insufficiency treatment: preclinical feasibility experience in rabbits<\/strong><\/a>. Phys Med Biol. 2019 Jan 7;64(2):025003. doi: 10.1088\/1361-6560\/aaf58d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where the beams converge, the focused ultrasound produces precise ablation (thermal destruction) of the varicose vein. This enables varicose veins to be treated noninvasively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The primary options for treatment of varicose veins are surgery, sclerotherapy, intravenous laser therapy, or radio frequency closure techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\nClinical Trials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Find a Treatment Site<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regulatory Approval and Reimbursement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Focused ultrasound treatment for varicose veins is not yet approved by regulatory bodies in the US or covered by medical insurance companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNotable Papers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n