Abstract: Hydraulic cement compositions that include a carbonate compound composition, e.g., a salt-water derived carbonate compound composition containing crystalline and/or amorphous carbonate compounds, are provided. Also provided are methods of making and using the hydraulic cements, as well as settable compositions, such as concretes and mortars, prepared therefrom. The cements and compositions produced therefrom find use in a variety of applications, including use in a variety of building materials and building applications.

Abstract: Desalination methods that include carbonate compound precipitation are provided. In certain embodiments, feed water is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions prior to desalination. In certain embodiments, desalination waste brine is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. In yet other embodiments, both feed water and waste brine are subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the invention include carbone dioxide sequestration. Embodiments of the invention further employ a precipitate product of the carbonate compound precipitation conditions as a building material, e.g., a cement. Also provided are systems configured for use in methods of the invention.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention include methods for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate containing products, where the products include autologous bone. Aspects of the invention further include compositions produced by the methods, 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 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 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 are provided for producing compositions, e.g. pastes or clays, which rapidly set into high-strength calcium phosphate products. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include calcium and phosphate sources, as well as a monovalent cation dihydrogen phosphate salt, are combined with a setting fluid and the combined reactants are mixed to produce the settable composition. A feature of the invention is that cements rapidly set into high strength product compositions. 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 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 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 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: Methods are provide for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a silicate-phosphate setting fluid, and the combined liquids and solids 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: Multilumen catheters are provided. The subject multilumen catheters include a proximal end and a distal end separated by a non-coaxial multilumen tube. The subject catheters are further characterized in that they include a multiport manifold at their proximal ends, where at least two of the ports of the multiport manifold may comprise luer valves. Also provided are systems for use in flushing a vascular site with fluid, usually at least two different fluids, where the subject systems are made up of two multilumen catheters according to the subject invention, where one of the catheters is inserted inside of the other. In addition, kits comprising various components of the subject systems, e.g., at least two different multilumen catheters, are provided.

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.

Abstract: Catheter devices and methods for their use in enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a vascular occlusion are provided. The subject catheter devices include at least a first, second and third lumen, where: (a) the first lumen is used for delivery of an acidic dissolution solution to the vascular site; (b) the second lumen is used for delivery of a buffer solution to the vascular site; and (c) the third lumen is used for removal of fluid from the vascular site. In many preferred embodiments, the first, second and third lumens are coaxial. In practicing the subject methods, the vascular site is flushed simultaneously with an acidic dissolution fluid and a buffer solution, where flushing is carried out in a manner such that only a surface of the vascular occlusion is contacted with the acidic dissolution fluid and the remainder of the vascular site is not contacted with fluid having a pH that is lower than about 4.

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 devices and methods are provided for enhancing fluid flow through a vascular site occupied by a calcified lesion. The catheter devices of the subject invention at least include, at their distal end, a proton generating means, and in many embodiments also include a flushing means. In using the subject devices, the distal end of the catheter is placed proximal to the vascular occlusion and protons are generated, e.g., via proton generation from water, in a manner sufficient to reduce the pH of the vascular site in the region proximal to the occlusion. The subphysiologic pH is maintained for a period of time sufficient for fluid flow through the vascular site to be enhanced. Also provided are kits comprising the subject catheter devices for use in the subject methods.

Abstract: Methods are provide for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate products. In the subject methods, dry reactants that include a calcium source and a phosphate source are combined with a solution of a soluble silicate, e.g. sodium silicate, and the combined liquids and solids 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 for at least inhibiting the growth of an inorganic structure in an external auditory canal are provided. In practicing the subject methods, the target structure is contacted with an amount of an inorganic matter dissolution solution effective to at least inhibit inorganic structure growth, e.g., by flushing the external auditory canal with an effective amount of an inorganic matter dissolution solution. In addition, the invention provides devices, systems and kits for practicing the subject methods. The subject invention finds use in the treatment of conditions characterized by inorganic growths in the external auditory canal, including diffuse exostosis, tympanic sclerosis, and the like.

Abstract: Multilumen catheters are provided. The subject multilumen catheters include a proximal end and a distal end separated by a non-coaxial multilumen tube. The subject catheters are further characterized in that they include a multiport manifold at their proximal ends, where at least two of the ports of the multiport manifold may comprise luer valves. Also provided are systems for use in flushing a vascular site with fluid, usually at least two different fluids, where the subject systems are made up of two multilumen catheters according to the subject invention, where one of the catheters is inserted inside of the other. In addition, kits comprising various components of the subject systems, e.g., at least two different multilumen catheters, are provided.

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.