Methods and devices for reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue

Abstract

Methods and devices for reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue are provided. In the subject methods, an isolated local environment that includes the region to be demineralized is produced. The pH of the local environment is then reduced to a subphysiologic level, e.g. by flushing with an acidic dissolution fluid, for a period of time sufficient for the mineral content of the region to be reduced. The devices of the subject invention are characterized by comprising a means for producing an isolated local environment that includes a non-intimal region of vascular tissue. Also provided are kits for practicing the subject methods.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:  
     
         1 . A method of reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said method comprising: 
 maintaining the local environment of said region at a subphysiologic pH for a period of time sufficient for the mineral content of said region to be reduced;    whereby the mineral content of said region of non-intimal vascular tissue is reduced.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the local environment of said region is maintained at a subphysiologic pH by introducing an acidic dissolution fluid into said local environment.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said introducing comprises flushing said local environment with said dissolution fluid.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises applying energy to said region.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said mineral is a calcium mineral.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein said calcium mineral is a calcium phosphate.  
     
     
         7 . A method of reducing the calcium phosphate content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said method comprising: 
 flushing said region with an acidic dissolution fluid capable of increasing the proton concentration in the local environment of said region;    wherein the calcium phosphate content of said region is reduced.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said acidic dissolution fluid comprises and an inorganic acid  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein said inorganic acid is a strong acid.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said strong acid is hydrochloric acid.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein said acidic dissolution fluid is hypertonic.  
     
     
         12 . A method for reducing the calcium phosphate content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said method comprising: 
 producing an isolated local environment comprising said region;    flushing said local environment with an acidic dissolution fluid for a period of time sufficient to reduce the calcium phosphate content of said region, wherein said acidic dissolution fluid comprises a strong acid;    whereby the calcium phosphate content of said region is reduced.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said strong acid is hydrochloric acid.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said acidic dissolution fluid is hypertonic.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the pH of said acidic dissolution fluid ranges from 0 to 2.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  Claim 12 . wherein said method further comprises applying energy to said calcified region.  
     
     
         17 . A device for use in reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said device comprising: 
 a means for producing an isolated local environment in situ comprising a region of non-intimal vascular tissue.    
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein the volume of said local environment ranges from about 1 to 100 ml.  
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said means comprises a cup shaped element.  
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said means is capable of enclosing a region of a vessel.  
     
     
         21 . The device according to  claim 17 , wherein said device further comprises a means for flushing said local environment with an acidic dissolution fluid.  
     
     
         22 . A system for flushing a non-intimal region of vascular tissue with an acidic dissolution fluid, said system comprising: 
 (a) a means for producing a local environment comprising said region, wherein said means includes a means for flushing said local environment with said acidic dissolution fluid;    (b) a source of acidic dissolution fluid in fluid communication with said means for producing a local environment comprising said region.    
     
     
         23 . A kit for at least reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue. said kit comprising: 
 an acidic dissolution fluid; and    instructions for performing the method according to  claim 1 .    
     
     
         24 . The kit according to  claim 23 , wherein said kit further comprises a means for producing a local environment comprising a region of non-intimal vascular tissue.