Methods and devices for the in situ dissolution of renal calculi
AssigneeCordis Corporation
InventorBrent Constantz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and devices for at least reducing the mass of, if not dissolving, renal calculi in situ are provided. In the subject methods, a renal calculus is contacted, e.g. flushed, with an acidic dissolution solution in situ, where the acidic dissolution solution is a solution of a strong, inorganic acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid. In many embodiments, the renal calculus is first enclosed in an isolated local environment of a device prior contact with the dissolution solution. Also provided are novel devices and kits for practicing the subject invention.
Claims21
A method for at least reducing the mass of a renal calculus in situ, said method comprising:
- contacting said renal calculus with a dissolution solution of a strong, inorganic acid for a period of time sufficient to at least reduce the mass of said renal calculus;
- whereby the mass of said renal calculus is reduced.
A method for at least reducing the mass of a renal calculus, said method comprising:
- enclosing said renal calculus in a device in a manner such that said renal calculus is positioned within an isolated local environment in situ;
- and
- flushing said isolated local environment with an acidic dissolution solution of a strong inorganic acid;
- whereby the mass of said renal calculus is at least reduced.
A method for at least reducing the mass of a calcium comprising renal calculus, said method comprising:
- enclosing said calcium comprising renal calculus in a device in situ in a manner such that said calcium comprising renal calculus is positioned within an isolated local environment in situ;
- and
- flushing said isolated local environment with hydrochloric acid dissolution solution by introducing and removing said solution from said isolated local environment at substantially the same rate;
- whereby the mass of said renal calculus is at least reduced.
A device for use in at least reducing the mass of a renal calculus in situ, said device comprising:
- a means for enclosing said renal calculus in a substantially isolated local environment, wherein said means comprises an element that expands along a circumference about a central longitudinal axis to produce said isolated local environment which is characterized by having a circular cross-sectional shape in any plane normal to said longitudinal axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.