Surface Studies of Calcium Oxalate Dihydrate Single Crystals During Dissolution in the Presence of Stone-Formers\u27 Urine

Dissolution of calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) single crystals was studied at different pH levels and in different dilutions of stone formers\u27 (SF) urine. The Fourier descriptors of the contour were determined during dissolution of COD using a quantitative morphological technique. The surface ruggedness of COD single crystals was determined from fractal analysis. The results obtained were compared with COD single crystals behavior in different dilutions of normal urine previously reported. The shape parameters and surface geometry of the dissolving COD crystals were significantly different in normal and SF urine. The data suggest that the shape descriptors and fractal geometry is likely to be a potential factor in identifying the urine of stone formers

The Effect of Controlled Diffusion of Ions on the Formation of Hydrated Calcium Oxalate Crystals

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD) and calcium oxalate trihydrate (COT) were grown from solutions under controlled release of the reacting ions. The mass transfer kinetics of ions released from an insoluble polyethylene matrix, from an osmotic pump system and from the hydrolysis of diethyl oxalate were studied under different experimental conditions. It was possible with simple laboratory techniques to grow well-formed crystals of COM, COD and COT, suitable for single crystal work. Results obtained show that the degree of hydration, size, and morphology of the crystals formed, are controlled by interfacial kinetic factors

Surface Studies of Calcium Oxalate Dihydrate Single Crystals During Dissolution in the Presence of Urine

Single crystals of Calcium Oxalate Dihydrate (COD) were grown from solution under controlled release of the reacting ions. Dissolution of COD was studied at different pH levels and in different dilutions of urine. The descriptors of the contour were determined during dissolution of COD using a quantitative morphological technique. The shape parameters and surface ruggedness were determined from Fourier and fractal analysis. The results obtained give quantitative information on the dissolution kinetics and the surface geometry of COD crystals in normal and diluted urine. Dissolution inhibition and morphological changes of COD crystals during dissolution were attributed to selective adsorption of urine non-ionic macromolecules on the crystal stepped surface. Surface etching of COD was found to depend on urine dilution and time of incubation. The data obtained suggest that the geometric structure of the surface is likely to be a potential factor in understanding crystal aggregation in stone formation

Evaluation of the Surface Roughness of Cystine Stones Using a Visible Laser Diode Scattering Approach

To understand the processes of fragmentation and the chemical reactivity of solids, proper characterization of surface topography is crucial. This paper describes a non-destructive technique of quantifying the surface roughness of cystine renal stones, using visible laser diode scattering and fractal geometry. Fragments of cystine stones were mounted on microscope slides and coated by a carbon-sputtering apparatus. The slides were placed under a dynamic active-vision system, using a visible laser diode to measure three-dimensional surface coordinates. The data obtained were analyzed by fractal geometry. Surface fractal dimensions were determined by the variation method. The results showed that the surface of a compact-size sample can be evaluated quantitatively. The technique is valuable for the accurate presentation of surfaces in three dimensions