Methods and devices for the in situ dissolution of renal calculi

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.

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 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.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said acidic dissolution solution has a pH ranging from about 0 to 5.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said contacting comprises flushing the local environment of said renal calculus with said acidic dissolution solution.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said local environment is defined by the body cavity in which said renal calculus is located.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein said local environment is defined by a device that encloses said renal calculus in situ.  
     
     
         6 . 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.    
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said flushing comprises introducing and removing fluid from said isolated local environment at substantially the same rate.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said acidic dissolution solution has a pH ranging from about 0 to 5.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said renal calculus comprises calcium.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein said acidic dissolution solution is a hydrochloric acid solution.  
     
     
         11 . 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.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the pH of said hydrochloric acid solution ranges from about 0 to 5.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said calcium renal calculus comprises a calcium phosphate.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said calcium renal calculus comprises a calcium oxalate.  
     
     
         15 . 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.    
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said device further comprises at least one fluid conduit in fluid communication with said isolated local environment.  
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 15 , wherein said device further comprises at least two fluid conduits in fluid communication with said isolated local environment.  
     
     
         18 . A kit for use in reducing the mass of a renal calculus, said kit comprising: 
 an dissolution solution of a strong inorganic acid; and    instructions for use in practicing the method of  claim 1 .    
     
     
         19 . The kit according to  claim 18 , wherein said kit further comprises a means for isolating said renal calculus in situ in an isolated local environment.  
     
     
         20 . The kit according to  claim 18 , wherein said dissolution solution has a pH ranging from about 0 to 5.  
     
     
         21 . The kit according to  claim 20 , wherein said dissolution solution comprises hydrochloric acid.