US6755811B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods and devices for reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue
Assignee: Cordis US Corp
•
Filing: 1999-08-25
•
Granted: 2004-06-29
•
Expires: 2019-08-25
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Brent R. Constantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/11; A61B17/08; A61B2017/00743; A61B2017/00778; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00893; A61B2017/1107; A61N; A61N7/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said method comprising: (a) producing an isolated local environment that includes said region; (b) introducing an acidic dissolution fluid having a subphysiologic pH into said isolated local environment; and (c) maintaining the isolated 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 so that the mineral content of said region of non-intimal vascular tissue is reduced.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of reducing the mineral content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said method comprising: (a) producing an isolated local environment that includes said region; (b) introducing an acidic dissolution fluid having a subphysiologic pH into said isolated local environment; and (c) maintaining the isolated 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 so that the mineral content of said region of non-intimal vascular tissue is reduced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said introducing comprises flushing said local environment with said dissolution fluid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method further comprises applying energy to said region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein said mineral is a calcium mineral.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 4 , wherein said calcium mineral is a calcium phosphate.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of reducing the calcium phosphate content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said method comprising: (a) producing an isolated local environment that includes said region; and (b) flushing said region with an acidic dissolution fluid having a subphysiologic pH capable of increasing the proton concentration in the isolated local environment of said region so that the calcium phosphate content of said region is reduced.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of reducing the calcium phosphate content of a region of non-intimal vascular tissue, said method comprising: (a) producing an isolated local environment that includes said region; and (b) flushing said region with an acidic dissolution fluid having a subphysiologic pH capable of increasing the proton concentration in the isolated local environment of said region so that the calcium phosphate content of said region is reduced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 6 , wherein said acidic dissolution fluid comprises and an inorganic acid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein said inorganic acid is a strong acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 8 , wherein said strong acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 6 , wherein said acidic dissolution fluid is hypertonic.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
74 words
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 having a subphysiologic pH for a period of time sufficient to reduce the calcium phosphate content of said region, wherein said acidic dissolution fluid comprises a strong acid so that the calcium phosphate content of said region is reduced.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
74 words
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 having a subphysiologic pH for a period of time sufficient to reduce the calcium phosphate content of said region, wherein said acidic dissolution fluid comprises a strong acid so that the calcium phosphate content of said region is reduced.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said strong acid is hydrochloric acid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said acidic dissolution fluid is hypertonic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein the pH of said acidic dissolution fluid ranges from 0 to 2.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said method further comprises applying energy to said calcified region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4636195A
Cited
US5968726A
Cited
US5744153A
Cited
US5927284A
Cited
US5800408A
Cited
US6044845A
Cited
US6290689B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-06-29 | 2007-12-29 | 2008-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-29 | 2011-12-29 | 2012-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-29 | 2015-12-29 | 2016-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |