Intermittent Dosing Of Nitric Oxide Gas

Abstract

A method and corresponding device are described for combating microbes and infections by delivering intermittent high doses of nitric oxide to a mammal for a period of time and which cycles between high and low concentration of nitric oxide gas. The high concentration of nitric oxide is preferably delivered intermittently for brief periods of time that are interspersed with periods of time with either no nitric oxide delivery or lower concentrations of nitric oxide. The method is advantageous because at higher concentration, nitric oxide gas overwhelms the defense mechanism of pathogens that use the mammalian body to replenish their thiol defense system. A lower dose or concentration of nitric oxide gas delivered in between the bursts of high concentration nitric oxide maintains nitrosative stress pressure on the pathogens and also reduces the risk of toxicity of nitric oxide gas.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The field of the present invention relates to methods and devices for delivery of exogenous or gaseous nitric oxide gas to mammals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] NO is an environmental pollutant produced as a byproduct of combustion. At extremely high concentrations (generally at or above 1000 ppm), NO is toxic. NO also is a naturally occurring gas that is produced by the endothelium tissue of the respiratory system. In the 1980's, it was discovered by researchers that the endothelium tissue of the human body produced NO, and that NO is an endogenous vasodilator, namely, an agent that widens the internal diameter of blood vessels. [0003] With this discovery, numerous researchers have investigated the use of low concentrations of exogenously inhaled NO to treat various pulmonary diseases in human patients. See e.g., Higenbottam et al., Am. Rev. Resp. Dis. Suppl. 137:107, 1988. It was determined, for example, that primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH)...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is envisioned that a method and device delivering intermittent high doses of nitric oxide for a period of time and which cycles between high and low concentration of nitric oxide is desirable, useful, and overcomes the problems of toxicity. The high concentration of nitric oxide is preferably delivered intermittently for brief periods of time that are interspersed with periods of time with either no nitric oxide delivery or lower concentrations of nitric oxide. This keeps the exposure to the high concentrations of nitric oxide required to overwhelm the nitric oxide defense mechanisms of the pathogens to an average level that is safe for humans to inhale.

Problems solved by technology

However, it may also be delivered for the same length of time as the high concentration of nitric oxide with less number of cycles to achieve substantially the same amount of ppmhrs of nitric oxide per day.

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