Methods and devices for reducing the mineral content of vascular calcified lesions
First Claim
1. A method for reducing or eliminating the mineral content of a vascular calcified lesion, said method comprising:
- maintaining the local environment of said calcified lesion at a subphysiologic pH for a period of time sufficient for the mineral content of said calcified lesion to be reduced by introducing an acidic dissolution fluid having a pH of less than about 4 into said local environment to reduce or eliminate the mineral content of said calcified lesion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and devices are provided for at least reducing the mineral content of a vascular calcified lesion, i.e. a calcified lesion present on the vascular tissue of a host. In the subject methods, the local environment of the lesion is maintained at a subphysiologic pH for a period of time sufficient for the mineral content of the lesion to be reduced, e.g. by flushing the lesion with a fluid capable of locally increasing the proton concentration in the region of the lesion. Also provided are systems and kits for practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and devices find particular use in the treatment of vascular diseases associated with the presence of calcified lesions on vascular tissue.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for reducing or eliminating the mineral content of a vascular calcified lesion, said method comprising:
maintaining the local environment of said calcified lesion at a subphysiologic pH for a period of time sufficient for the mineral content of said calcified lesion to be reduced by introducing an acidic dissolution fluid having a pH of less than about 4 into said local environment to reduce or eliminate the mineral content of said calcified lesion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of reducing the size of, or eliminating, a vascular calcified lesion, said method comprising:
flushing said calcified lesion with an acidic dissolution fluid having a pH of less than about 4 capable of locally increasing the proton concentration in the region of said calcified lesion to reduce the size of, or eliminate said calcified lesion. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for treating a host suffering from a vascular disease characterized by the presence of a vascular calcified lesion, said method comprising:
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flushing said calcified lesion with an acidic dissolution fluid having a pH of less than about 4 capable of increasing the proton concentration in the local environment of said lesion for a sufficient period of time for the mineral content of said calcified lesion to be reduced, whereby said host is treated. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification