Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a composition comprising carbonates, wherein the methods comprise utilizing waste sources of metal oxides. An aqueous solution of divalent cations, some or all of which are derived from a waste source of metal oxides, may be contacted with CO2 and subjected to precipitation conditions to provide compositions comprising carbonates. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is the waste source of metal oxides for the aqueous solution containing divalent cations. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is used to provide a source of proton-removing agents, divalent cations, silica, metal oxides, or other desired constituents or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Compositions comprising synthetic rock, e.g., aggregate, and methods of producing and using them are provided. The rock, e.g., aggregate, contains CO2 and/or other components of an industrial waste stream. The CO2 may be in the form of divalent cation carbonates, e.g., magnesium and calcium carbonates. Aspects of the invention include contacting a CO2 containing gaseous stream with a water to dissolve CO2, and placing the water under precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate containing precipitate product, e.g., a divalent cation carbonate.

Abstract: Non-cementitious CO2 sequestering compositions are provided. The compositions of the invention include a CO2 sequestering additive, e.g., a CO2 sequestering carbonate composition. Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using the non-cementitious CO2 sequestering compositions.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing and producing compositions with negative ?13C values are provided. Aspects of the invention include characterizing source materials and process products. Aspects of the invention also include compositions that contain carbon with negative ?13C values.

Abstract: Compositions comprising synthetic rock, e.g., aggregate, and methods of producing and using them are provided. The rock, e.g., aggregate, contains CO2 and/or other components of an industrial waste stream. The CO2 may be in the form of divalent cation carbonates, e.g., magnesium and calcium carbonates. Aspects of the invention include contacting a CO2 containing gaseous stream with a water to dissolve CO2, and placing the water under precipitation conditions sufficient to produce a carbonate containing precipitate product, e.g., a divalent cation carbonate.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing a composition comprising carbonates, wherein the methods comprise utilizing waste sources of metal oxides. An aqueous solution of divalent cations, some or all of which are derived from a waste source of metal oxides, may be contacted with CO2 and subjected to precipitation conditions to provide compositions comprising carbonates. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is the waste source of metal oxides for the aqueous solution containing divalent cations. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is used to provide a source of proton-removing agents, divalent cations, silica, metal oxides, or other desired constituents or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., orthopedic cements, such as calcium phosphate cements and the like, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods of employing bone defect filling, e.g., polymeric bone cements, are provided. A feature of the subject methods is that vibration is employed in conjunction with the use of the cement, e.g., in preparation of the cement, in preparation of the target site, in delivery of the cement to the target site, and/or following delivery of the cement to the target site. Also provided are devices, systems and kits that find use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods, devices and systems find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products that include an osteoclastogenic agent. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a setting fluid and an osteoclastogenic agent, e.g., RANKL or a mimetic thereof, and the combined reactants are mixed to produce the flowable composition. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including hard tissue repair applications.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products and include a contrast agent. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with setting fluid and a water-soluble contrast agent, e.g., a water-soluble barium salt, and the combined reactants are mixed to produce the flowable composition. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g., bone defects.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for delivery an orthopedic, e.g., calcium phosphate cement to a target bone site. In practicing the subject methods, a flowable cement composition is delivered to a target bone site in conjunction with vibration. Also provided are the devices that deliver a flowable cement to a target bone site according to the subject methods. Introducing a flowable cement to a target bone site in conjunction with vibration in accordance with the subject methods provides for highly controlled penetration of the delivered cement throughout the target bone site without the use of substantial pressure. The subject devices and methods find use in a variety of different applications, and are particularly suited for use in applications where a calcium phosphate cement is to be delivered to cancellous tissue, e.g., as found in a vertebral body.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products are provided. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a setting fluid to produce the flowable composition. A feature of the subject methods is that the dry reactants include a particulate calcium and/or phosphate reactant having a mean particle size of less than about 8 ?m and narrow size distribution. Also provided are the compositions themselves as well as kits for use in practicing the subject methods. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including the repair of hard tissue defects, e.g., bone defects.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, as well as systems and kits for use in practicing the same, are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with a first dissolution fluid (e.g., an organic matter dissolution fluid and/or an inorganic matter dissolution fluid), and a second dissolution fluid attenuating fluid, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the non-attenuated dissolution fluid. Examples of dissolution fluid/dissolution fluid attenuating fluid pairs include: (1) oxidizing agent fluid and fluid comprising oxidizable neutralizing agent; (2) surfactant fluid and phosphate buffered saline; (3) acidic solution and phosphate buffered saline; etc. Flushing is carried out in this manner for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow through the vascular site to be enhanced, e.g. increased or established.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion, as well as systems and kits for use in practicing the same, are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with a first dissolution fluid (e.g., an organic matter dissolution fluid and/or an inorganic matter dissolution fluid), and a second dissolution fluid attenuating fluid, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the non-attenuated dissolution fluid. The subject methods, systems and kits for practicing the same find use in the treatment of a variety of different vascular diseases characterized by the presence of vascular occlusions, including both partial and total occlusions.

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.

Abstract: Fluid delivery devices having a porous applicator, as well as methods for using the same in the highly localized delivery of fluid to a target site, are provided. The subject devices have a porous applicator through which fluid must flow in order to contact the target delivery site. The subject devices find use in a variety of fluid delivery applications in which the localized delivery of a fluid to a target site is desired. Also provided are systems and kits that include the subject fluid delivery devices.

Abstract: Fluid delivery systems capable of introducing first and second fluids into first and second lumens of a multi-lumen catheter are provided. The first and second fluids are generally a dissolution fluid and a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid. Also provided are fluid delivery devices and kits that include the subject systems. The subject fluid delivery systems find use in a variety of different applications, and are particularly suited for use in the chemical ablation of internal vascular lesions.

Abstract: Devices and methods for their use in increasing the aortic valve flow of a stenotic aortic valve are provided. The subject devices include an aortic valve isolation element and an aortic valve flushing element. The aortic valve isolation element is made up of a ventricular side aortic valve occlusion element, coronary ostia occlusion elements and an ascending aorta occlusion element. The aortic valve flushing element is made up of a dissolution fluid introducing element and a fluid removal element. In practicing the subject methods, a stenotic aortic valve is first isolated. Next, the isolated valve is flushed with a dissolution fluid, e.g., an acidic dissolution fluid, for a period of time sufficient for the aortic valve flow of the treated valve to be increased. In certain embodiments, the valve is also contacted with a dissolution fluid attenuating fluid, e.g., a buffer, during the flushing step in order to limit the contact of non-valve tissue with the dissolution fluid.

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.

Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for their use in enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion are provided. The subject catheter systems include at least an aspiration catheter and at least one of a total occlusion insert catheter and a partial occlusion insert catheter, where the insert catheters are capable of being slidably moved in the lumen of the aspiration catheter. In practicing the subject methods, a surface of the vascular occlusion is flushed with an acidic dissolution fluid using the subject catheter systems for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow through the vascular site to be enhanced, e.g. increased or established. The subject catheter systems and methods find use in the treatment of a variety of different vascular diseases characterized by the presence of calcified vascular occlusions, including peripheral and coronary vascular diseases.