Methods and devices for the in situ dissolution of renal calculi
View Patent ↗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.
1. 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 having a pH of less than about 3 for a period of time sufficient to at least reduce the mass of said renal calculus using a 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;
to reduce the mass of said renal calculus.
2. 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, 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; and
flushing said isolated local environment with an acidic dissolution solution of a strong inorganic acid having a pH of less than about 3;
to reduce the mass of said renal calculus.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said flushing comprises introducing and removing fluid from said isolated local environment at substantially the same rate.
4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said renal calculus comprises calcium.
5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein said acidic dissolution solution is a hydrochloric acid solution.
6. 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, 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; and
flushing said isolated local environment with hydrochloric acid dissolution solution having a pH of less than about 3 by introducing and removing said solution from said isolated local environment at substantially the same rate;
to reduce the mass of said renal calculus.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein said calcium renal calculus comprises a calcium phosphate.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein said calcium renal calculus comprises a calcium oxalate.
9. 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; and
a strong, inorganic acid having a pH of less than about 3.
10. The device according to claim 9 , wherein said device further comprises at least one fluid conduit in fluid communication with said isolated local environment.
11. The device according to claim 9 , wherein said device further comprises at least two fluid conduits in fluid communication with said isolated local environment.
12. A kit for use in reducing the mass of a renal calculus, said kit comprising:
an dissolution solution of a strong, inorganic acid having a pH of less than about 3; and
a device comprising a means for enclosing said renal calculus in a substantially isolated local environment, wherein said means comprises an 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.
13. The kit according to claim 12 , wherein said dissolution solution comprises hydrochloric acid.