Systems and methods for delivery of nitric oxide gas

Abstract

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for delivering nitric oxide gas. According to an embodiment, a. nitric oxide gas delivery' system can include: a nitric oxide (NO) source providing NO gas; a plurality of port lights surrounding a plurality of corresponding gas ports, wherein each of the port lights are configured to display a color; and an electronic control circuit, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to enable the plurality of port lights to display the color based on a flow of the NO gas being delivered through the corresponding gas ports.

Description

[0001]Inventors: Craig R. Tolmie, Randy Scott Grosshauser, and Thomas Bonde SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DELIVERY OF NITRIC OXIDE GAS RELATED APPLICATIONS ^ This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 595,987 filed November 3, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 596,002 filed November 3, 2023. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD The present invention relates to systems and methods for delivery of nitric oxide gas.^ BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Nitric oxide (NO) delivery systems can deliver NO to mechanical ventilator breathing circuits in controlled concentrations. Such systems generally require a gas monitoring system (with alarms) for measuring the gas concentrations of NO, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxygen (O2) in the ventilator breathing circuit just prior to inhalation by the patient, via a gas^ sample line. However, current delivery systems do not provide feedback or confirmation that the set concentration or flow rate of NO is actually being delivered. Further, for delivery systems including a redundant NO source, current systems fail to notify the user that the backup NO source is being utilized to maintain primary ventilatory support and that alternative delivery modes are no longer available. Current systems also fail to provide direct user feedback when the concentration of NO exceeds or falls below set limits. Lastly, current systems supporting more than one method of gas delivery, or two or more sources of gas output, can result in confusion of which port contains which gas. As such, there is a need for systems and methods of delivering NO gas that address the above deficiencies. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This Summary introduces a selection of concepts in simplified form that are described further below in the Detailed Description. This Summary neither identifies key or essential^ features, nor limits the scope, of the claimed subject matter. Disclosed herein are systems and methods for delivering nitric oxide gas. According to an embodiment, a nitric oxide gas delivery system can include: at least one nitric oxide (NO) gas generator to generate NO gas; a plurality of port lights surrounding corresponding gas ports, wherein each of the port lights are configured to display a color; and an electronic control circuit, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to enable one^ or more of the port lights to display the color based on at least one of (i) status of the at least one NO gas generator and (ii) a flow of the NO gas being delivered through the corresponding gas ports. According to an embodiment, the port lights are illuminated upon activation of the corresponding gas ports. ^ According to an embodiment, the color displayed by the port lights indicates whether a set concentration of NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port. According to an embodiment, the port lights are configured to: (i) display a first color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port at the set concentration, (ii) display a second color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port^ but at a concentration different from the set concentration, and (iii) display a third color if the NO gas is not being delivered through the corresponding gas port at all. According to an embodiment, the gas port corresponds to a gas outlet. According to an embodiment, the gas port corresponds to one of a NO delivery outlet and a manual resuscitation bagging outlet. According to an embodiment, the system comprises two NO gas generators. According to an embodiment, the two NO gas generators are operated simultaneously. According to an embodiment, only one of the two NO gas generators is operated at a time. According to an embodiment, one of the port lights displays a first color during the operation of a first NO gas generator and displays a second color during the operation of a second NO gas generator. According to an embodiment, NO gas is generated from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). ^ According to an embodiment, the system further comprises a graphical user interface display, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display the status of the at least one NO gas generator. According to an embodiment, the system comprises a gas sample line port, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display the status of a gas sample line connected to a breathing circuit. According to an embodiment, the graphical user interface is further configured to^ receive user input for a set concentration (also referred to herein as “dose”) of NO gas to deliver. A medical doctor, e.g., physician, having ordinary skill in the art may readily determine and prescribe the concentration of NO gas required. For example, the physician could begin administration to dose the NO gas at a concentration lower than that required in order to achieve the desired therapeutic effect and gradually increase the concentration until^ the desired effect is achieved. In some embodiments, the set concentration of NO gas is from about 1 ppm to about 1,000 ppm. In some embodiments, the set concentration of NO gas is from about 1 ppm to about 600 ppm. In some embodiments, the set concentration of NO gas is less than about 1,000 ppm, or less than about 800 ppm, or less than about 600 ppm, or less than about 500^ ppm, or less than about 300 ppm, or less than about 200 ppm, or less than about 160 ppm, or less than about 100 ppm, or less than about 50 ppm, or less than about 20 ppm. For example, the set concentration of NO gas is about 10 ppm, 20 ppm, 25 ppm, 30 ppm, 40 ppm, 50 ppm, 60 ppm, 70 ppm, 80 ppm, 90 ppm, 100 ppm, 130 ppm, 150 ppm, 160 ppm, 180 ppm, 200 ppm, 220 ppm, 240 ppm, 260 ppm, 280 ppm, 300 ppm, 350 ppm, 400 ppm, 450 ppm, 500 ppm, 550 ppm, or about 600 ppm. According to an embodiment, the system further comprises a light bar, wherein the light bar is configured to display a color based on (i) the status of the at least one NO gas generator and (ii) the flow of the NO gas being delivered through the corresponding gas ports. According to an embodiment, the system further comprises a bottom enclosure, wherein the bottom enclosure comprises: (i) at least one sloped depression along a portion of the bottom enclosure, wherein the at least one sloped depression is configured to depress at least one external plunger as it traverses proximally along the bottom enclosure; and (ii) a mounting bracket including at least one receptacle to receive the at least one external plunger.^ According to another embodiment, a nitric oxide (NO) gas delivery system can include: an NO source providing NO gas; a plurality of port lights surrounding corresponding gas ports, wherein each of the port lights are configured to display a color; and an electronic control circuit, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to enable one or more of the port lights to display the color based on a flow of the NO gas being delivered through the corresponding gas ports. According to an embodiment, the port lights are illuminated upon activation of the corresponding gas ports. ^ According to an embodiment, the color displayed by the port lights indicates whether a set concentration of NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port. According to an embodiment, the port lights are configured to: (i) display a first color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port at the set concentration, (ii) display a second color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port^ but at a concentration different from the set concentration, and (iii) display a third color if the NO gas is not being delivered through the corresponding gas port at all. According to an embodiment, the gas port corresponds to a gas outlet. According to an embodiment, the gas port corresponds to one of a NO delivery outlet, a manual resuscitation bagging inlet, and a manual resuscitation bagging outlet. ^ According to an embodiment, the NO source is one of a container storing NO or an NO generator. According to an embodiment, the NO generator generates the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). According to an embodiment, the system comprises a graphical user interface display, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display the status of the NO generator. According to an embodiment, the graphical user interface is further configured to receive user input for a set concentration of NO gas to deliver. According to an embodiment, the system further comprises a bottom enclosure, wherein the bottom enclosure comprises: (i) at least one sloped depression along a portion of the bottom enclosure, wherein the at least one sloped depression is configured to depress at least one external plunger as it traverses proximally along the bottom enclosure; and (ii) a mounting bracket including at least one receptacle to receive the at least one external plunger.^ According to another embodiment, a nitric oxide gas delivery system can include: (i) a first subsystem for generating nitric oxide (NO) gas, the first subsystem comprising a first NO generator and a mass flow controller, wherein the mass flow controller controls the flow rate of air into the first NO generator; (ii) a second NO subsystem for generating NO gas, the second subsystem comprising a second NO generator; (iii) at least one gas outlet port for delivering the NO gas generated by one of the first subsystem or the second subsystem; and (iv) an electronic control circuit configured to select one of the first subsystem and the second subsystem for providing NO gas to the at least one gas outlet port based on air flow rate associated with the mass flow controller. ^ According to an embodiment, the air flow rate is a historical average air flow rate associated with the mass flow controller. According to an embodiment, the historical average air flow rate data is calculated based on historical flow rate data tracked over a time period. According to an embodiment, the time period is from 1 second to 5 minutes.^ According to an embodiment, the system further comprises: an NO delivery module in fluid communication with the at least one gas outlet port, wherein the NO delivery module comprises a breathing gas flow sensor configured to sense a breathing gas flow rate. According to an embodiment, the electronic control circuit is configured to select the second subsystem for providing NO gas to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a^ disruption in the breathing gas flow rate data. According to an embodiment, the disruption is based on failure of the breathing gas flow sensor. According to an embodiment, the breathing gas flow rate data is provided by the NO delivery module to the electronic control circuit. According to an embodiment, the electronic control circuit is configured to select the second subsystem for providing NO gas to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a disruption with the first subsystem. According to an embodiment, the disruption is one of a complete or partial cessation of NO gas generation by the first NO generator. According to an embodiment, the disruption is a result of an overgeneration of NO gas by the first NO generator. According to an embodiment, the provided NO gas is at one of a fixed or variable concentration. According to an embodiment, each of the first and second NO gas generators^ comprises a plasma chamber enclosing two electrodes separate by a gap. According to an embodiment, each of the first and second NO gas generators generates NO gas from liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). According to an embodiment, the system further comprises a bottom enclosure, wherein the bottom enclosure comprises: (i) at least one sloped depression along a portion of the bottom enclosure, wherein the at least one sloped depression is configured to depress at least one external plunger as it traverses proximally along the bottom enclosure; and (ii) a^ mounting bracket including at least one receptacle to receive the at least one external plunger. According to another embodiment, a method of delivering nitric oxide gas can include: (i) generating nitric oxide (NO) gas with a first subsystem, wherein the first subsystem comprises a first NO generator; and a mass flow controller, wherein the mass flow controller controls the flow rate of air into the first NO generator; (ii) generating NO gas with^ a second subsystem, wherein the second subsystem comprises a second NO gas generator, wherein the NO gas generated by the second subsystem is based on the flow rate of air associated with the mass flow controller; and (iii) providing NO gas generated by the first subsystem or the second subsystem to at least one gas outlet port. According to an embodiment, the air flow rate is a historical average air flow rate^ associated with the mass flow controller. According to an embodiment, the historical average air flow rate data is calculated based on historical flow rate data tracked over a time period. According to an embodiment, the time period is from 1 second to 5 minutes. According to an embodiment, the NO gas generated by the second subsystem is provided to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a disruption in the breathing gas flow rate data. According to an embodiment, the disruption is based on failure of the breathing gas flow sensor. According to an embodiment, the NO gas generated by the second subsystem is provided to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a disruption with the first subsystem. According to an embodiment, the disruption is one of a complete or partial cessation of NO gas generation by the first NO generator. According to an embodiment, the disruption is a result of an overgeneration of NO^ gas by the first NO generator. According to an embodiment, the provided NO gas is at one of a fixed or variable concentration. According to an embodiment, each of the first and second NO gas generators comprises a plasma chamber enclosing two electrodes separate by a gap. According to an embodiment, each of the first and second NO gas generators generates NO gas from liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). According to another embodiment of the invention, a gas sampling system for a^ medical gas delivery device can include: a gas sample line; a pump; and a pressure relief system, wherein: (i) the pump is configured to draw in a medical gas into the gas sampling system via the gas sample line, and (ii) the pressure relief system is configured to release positive excess pressure in the gas sampling system via an outlet. According to an embodiment, the excess pressure is a pressure amount that (i)^ exceeds a predetermined threshold or (ii) causes a change from negative pressure to positive pressure. According to an embodiment, the predetermined threshold is from .01 to 1.0 psig. According to an embodiment, the excess pressure is a result of a positive pressure in the gas sample line. ^ According to an embodiment, the positive pressure is generated by a breathing apparatus in fluid communication with the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the breathing apparatus is one of a high-flow nasal cannula, mechanical ventilator, and a high-frequency ventilator. According to an embodiment, the pressure relief system comprises a valve and a filter. According to an embodiment, the valve is a bypass valve, wherein the bypass valve is configured to release any pressure exceeding the predetermined threshold or causes the change from negative pressure to positive pressure. According to an embodiment, the valve is in communication with a processor and is actuated upon determination that a pump parameter falls below a certain threshold. According to an embodiment, the pump parameter is one of vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, pulse wave modulation (PWM) % pump control, and pump motor speed. According to an embodiment, the valve is in communication with a processor and is actuated upon determination that a flow parameter associated with the medical gas exceeds a^ certain threshold, wherein the flow parameter is determined with a flow sensor in fluid communication with the pressure relief system. According to an embodiment, the flow parameter is flow rate. According to an embodiment, the filter is configured to protect forward flow performance of the valve from contamination. According to an embodiment, the pressure relief system is in fluid communication with the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the medical gas includes nitric oxide (NO) gas. According to an embodiment, the NO gas is provided by a NO source. ^ According to an embodiment, the NO source is one of a container storing NO or an NO generator. According to an embodiment, the NO generator generates the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). ^ According to another embodiment, a gas sampling system for a medical gas delivery device can include: a gas sample line including a filter; a pump; and a processor, wherein the pump is configured to draw in a medical gas into the gas sampling system via the gas sample line, and the processor is configured: (i) determine an input parameter associated with the pump required to maintain a constant flow rate in the gas sample line, (ii) determine real-time^ information of the gas sample line based on the input parameter, and (iii) update a user interface display based on the determined real-time information. According to an embodiment, the input parameter is one of vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM % pump control, and pump motor speed. According to an embodiment, the real-time information is related to the functional life of the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the real-time information is provided in a bar graph on the user interface display. According to an embodiment, the bar graph includes a first visual indicator with a first contrasting color above the first visual indicator and a second contrasting color below the first visual indicator, wherein the first visual indicator descends as the gas sample line is being used. According to an embodiment, the bar graph includes a second visual indicator below the first visual indicator, wherein the second visual indicator corresponds to an alarm ^ threshold. According to an embodiment, the bar graph is recalibrated upon replacement of the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the filter removes particulates from the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the medical gas includes nitric oxide (NO) gas. According to an embodiment, the NO gas is provided by a NO source. According to an embodiment, the NO source is one of a container storing NO or an NO generator. According to an embodiment, the NO generator generates the NO gas from nitrogen^ (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). According to another embodiment, a method for monitoring real-time information of a gas sample line in a gas sampling system can include: (i) determining an input parameter for a pump required to maintain a constant flow rate in the gas sample line, wherein the pump^ draws in the medical gas into the gas sampling system via the gas sample line; (ii) determining the real-time information of the gas sample line based on the input parameter; and (iii) update the user interface display based on the determined real-time information. According to an embodiment, the input parameter is one of vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM % pump control, and pump motor^ speed. According to an embodiment, the real-time information is related to the functional life of the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the real-time information is provided in a bar graph on the user interface display. According to an embodiment, the bar graph includes a first visual indicator with a first contrasting color above the first visual indicator and a second contrasting color below the first visual indicator, wherein the first visual indicator descends as the gas sample line is being used. According to an embodiment, the bar graph includes a second visual indicator below the first visual indicator, wherein the second visual indicator corresponds to an alarm threshold. According to an embodiment, the bar graph is recalibrated upon replacement of the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the medical gas includes nitric oxide (NO) gas. ^ According to an embodiment, the NO gas is provided by a NO source. According to an embodiment, the NO source is one of a container storing NO or an NO generator. According to an embodiment, the NO generator generates the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). According to an embodiment, the plurality of port lights can provide direct^ confirmation for the user that gas availability is compromised (or uncompromised), that alternative delivery modes are not available, and / or which tube or outlet port the gas is flowing out of and at what concentration. Two or more, preferably three or more, distinct colors can be shown by each of the plurality of port lights to signal the status of an output to be monitored. For example, a first color (e.g., blue) can be used to light a main gas delivery^ outlet to confirm that the main delivery of a gas is within set limits. For example, NO gas concentration can be monitored using a NO concentration sensor. NO gas concentration can fall below a set concentration where, for example, the NO generation ceases, or a NO gas container or tank is emptied. On the other hand, NO gas concentration can exceed a set concentration limit where NO production exceeds a desired amount, or the mixing and^ diluting of NO gas with a medical gas ceases. In this regard, where the concentration falls outside the defined limits, the port lights can turn a color which contrasts with the first color, e.g., red. In an embodiment, a third color can be used to confirm a third condition. For example, where the NO delivery is switched to a backup NO source (e.g., a secondary NO generator) due, for example, to a failure in NO delivery from a primary NO generator, the port lights can turn to a third contrasting color, e.g., amber. In other embodiments, instead of displaying a certain color, the plurality of port lights can flash at different frequencies to indicate the different conditions. Further, according to an embodiment, the backup NO source can be activated as a result of user selection of a manual button or automatically under certain detectable failures. Once activated, at least one of the manual button and the port light surrounding the main gas outlet can be illuminated in the same color (e.g., amber). In addition, text indicating the backup mode can also be simultaneously provided. According to an embodiment, the plurality of port lights can be controlled by an electronic control circuit programmed to operate a light engine to display a visible light of a^ color. The light engine can be enabled, for example, if a gas delivery mass flow controller is providing the appropriate amount of NO-containing gas in liters per minute. According to an embodiment, a port light can also be activated around other gas ports, such as the manual resuscitation bagging outlet. According to an embodiment, the plurality of port lights can indicate to the user that gas delivery is available in the correct concentration quantity without gas monitoring. In the case of the manual resuscitation bagging outlet, the ports lights can also provide a higher level of safety by avoiding the need for moving or replacing critical components associated^ with the gas sampling system, such as the gas sample line. According to an embodiment, the system can include a sloped depression feature located in the lower bottom of the unit that allows it to be affixed to a transport sled, cart, or a wheeled system, such as a hospital bed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES ^ FIG.1A is an illustration of the front of a nitric oxide delivery system, showing, inter alia, the gas ports. FIG.1B is a perspective view of the system, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG.2 is an illustration of the graphical user interface display, according to an^ embodiment of the invention. FIG.3 is a cross-sectional view of the plasma chamber showing the main components of the plasma chamber design, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG.4 is a schematic diagram of the nitric oxide generator showing the components of the system and their electrical and pneumatic connections, according to an embodiment of^ the invention. FIG.5 is an electronic schematic of the pulsed electric discharge drive circuit, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG.6 is a schematic diagram of the nitric oxide generator, showing the components of the system and their electrical and pneumatic connections, according to another ^ embodiment of this invention. FIG.7A is a schematic diagram of a nitric oxide generation system, including two nitric oxide generators, according to an embodiment of this invention. FIG.7B is a schematic diagram of the nitric oxide delivery module depicted in FIG. 7A, according to an embodiment of this invention. ^ FIG.8 is a schematic diagram of a gas sampling system, according to an embodiment of this invention. FIG.9 depicts a portion of the graphical user interface display focusing on the gas sample line status area, according to an embodiment of this invention. FIG.10A is an illustration of the bottom enclosure of a nitric oxide delivery system. FIG.10B illustrates a side view of the bottom enclosure. FIG.10C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bottom enclosure, according to an embodiment of this invention. ^ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following Detailed Description references the accompanying drawings which form a part this application, and which show, by way of illustration, specific example implementations. Other implementations may be made without departing from the scope of^ the disclosure. Furthermore, the invention encompasses all variations, combinations, and permutations in which one or more limitations, elements, clauses, and descriptive terms from one or more of the listed claims is introduced into another claim. For example, any claim that is dependent on another claim can be modified to include one or more limitations found in^ any other claim that is dependent on the same base claim. Where elements are presented as lists, e.g., in Markush group format, each subgroup of the elements is also disclosed, and any element(s) can be removed from the group. It should it be understood that, in general, where the invention, or aspects of the invention, is / are referred to as comprising particular elements and / or features, certain embodiments of the invention or aspects of the invention consist, or consist essentially of, such elements and / or features. For purposes of simplicity, those embodiments have not been specifically set forth in haec verba herein. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention can be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Where ranges are given, endpoints are included. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated or otherwise evident from the context and understanding of one of ordinary skill in the art, values that are expressed as ranges can assume any specific value or^ sub-range within the stated ranges in different embodiments of the invention, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit of the range, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.^For example, a range of 1 to 50 is understood to include any number, combination of numbers, or sub-range from the group consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, or 50, as well as all intervening decimal values between the aforementioned integers such as, for example, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, and 1.9. With respect to sub-ranges, “nested sub-ranges” that extend from either end point of the range are specifically contemplated. For example, a nested sub-range of an exemplary range of 1 to^ 50 may comprise 1 to 10, 1 to 20, 1 to 30, and 1 to 40 in one direction, or 50 to 40, 50 to 30, 50 to 20, and 50 to 10 in the other direction. FIG.1A is an illustration of the front of a NO delivery system, showing, inter alia, the gas ports, and FIG.1B is a perspective drawing of the system. As depicted in the figures, NO delivery system 1 includes: a plurality of gas ports 2, 3, and 4, with corresponding port lights^ 2a, 3a, and 4a; a nitric oxide delivery module (NDM) cable port 5; a gas sample line port 6; a user interface display 7; knob 7a; light bar 7b; speakers 7c; and filter latch 8. According to an embodiment, the gas port 2 corresponds to the main NO delivery outlet, the gas port 3 corresponds to the manual resuscitation bagging outlet, and the gas port 4 corresponds to the manual resuscitation bagging inlet. In this regard, gas ports 3 and 4 are^ part of the bagging system, where the gas port 4 is used to connect to an air / oxygen source through oxygen tubing or equivalent to provide an external flow, and the gas port 3 is used to connect to a manual resuscitator for manually ventilating a patient. According to an embodiment, port lights 2a, 3a, and 4a can be controlled by an electronic control circuit programmed to operate a corresponding light engine to display a visible light of a color. The light engine can be enabled, for example, if a gas delivery mass flow controller is providing the appropriate amount of NO-containing gas in liters per minute. The displayed colors can represent different conditions. For example, a first color can be used to indicate a first condition, i.e., proper operation and delivery of NO gas, a second color can be used to indicate a second condition, i.e., improper operation or delivery of NO gas, and a third color can be used to indicate a third condition, i.e., a state between the first and second conditions. According to another embodiment, instead of displaying a certain color, the port lights can flash at different frequencies to indicate the different conditions. In this regard, the flashing can correspond to the urgency of the condition. For example, with the first condition, there could be no flashing since the device is operating properly. For the second condition,^ there can be a higher frequency flashing since the device is not operating properly. Lastly, for the third condition, there can be a lower frequency. According to an embodiment, the NDM cable port 5 can be used to receive a cable from the NDM, which is used to measure gas flow in the breathing circuit and deliver the NO gas mixture into the inspiratory limb of the breathing circuit. According to an embodiment, the gas sample line port 6 can be used to receive a gas sample line connected to the breathing circuit. In this regard, the gas sample line is used to draw gas from the breathing circuit so that the NO, NO2, and O2 concentrations can be measured and monitored in real-time. ^ According to an embodiment, the user interface display 7 can be used to set a desired NO concentration or another parameter. In this regard, the user interface display 7 can be touchscreen. In this regard, touching the parameter to be set on the display 7 can activate or open a menu to set the parameter. For example, touching the display 7 can open a graphic with + and / or – symbols and / or a menu of possible selections (e.g., 5, 10 or 20 ppm) which^ allow increasing or decreasing the NO concentration. According to another embodiment, the desired NO concentration can also be set with the knob 7a. The user interface display 7 can also be used to display the status of one or more of (i) NO sources, (ii) NO2 filter, (iii) gas sample line, (iv) the bagging system, (v) the set NO concentration, (vi) the measured NO concentration, (vii) the measured NO2 concentration, (viii) the measured O2 concentration,^ and / or (ix) power supply, which will be described in more detail in relation to FIG.2. According to an embodiment, like the port lights 2a, 3a, and 4a, the light bar 7b can be controlled by an electronic control circuit programmed to operate a corresponding light engine to display a visible light of a color, where the displayed colors represent different conditions. In this regard, the light bar 7b ensures that any important conditions, such as an alarm state, are visually apparent in busy multi-patient environments. According to an embodiment, the light bar 7b remains off when the system is not in a state of alarm, and then can turn a first warning color (e.g., red) when a more urgent alarm is triggered (e.g., when the battery has only a few minutes of life remaining) or another warning color (e.g., amber) when the alarm is less urgent (e.g., the NO2filter needs to be replaced soon). According to an embodiment, the speakers 7c can be used to provide an audio alarm in combination with the visual indication provided by the port lights 2a, 3a, and 4a, the user interface display 7, and / or the light bar 7b. FIG.2 is an illustration of the graphical user interface display, according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted in the figure, the user interface display 7 displays a^ user interface layout 10 including a plurality of dedicated areas, such as: (i) an NO source status area 11, (ii) NO2 filter status area 12, (iii) gas sample line status area 13, (iv) bagging system status area 14, (v) set NO concentration area 15, (vi) measured NO concentration area 16, (vii) measured NO2 concentration area 17, (viii) measured O2 concentration area 18, (ix) power supply status area 19, and (x) a text area 20. According to an embodiment, the NO source status area 11 depicts the status of the one or more NO sources being used. Specifically, the area 11 depicts whether a primary NO source is being used or whether a backup or secondary NO source is used. In this regard, if the primary NO source is being used, the top NO source graphic 11a will be illuminated.^ Similarly, if the backup or secondary source is being used, then the bottom NO source graphic 11b will be illuminated. The NO source can be from a container storing NO or an NO generator. According to an embodiment, the NO generator can generate the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). ^ According to an embodiment, the NO2filter status area 12 depicts the status of the NO2 filter being used. The status the NO2 filter can be provided in terms of hours / time and / or percentage of time remaining before the filter should be changed. According to an embodiment, the status of the filter can also be depicted with a ball float graphic that moves in a certain direction around a circle as the NO2 filter is being consumed. For example, as^ depicted in FIG.2, the ball float graphic can move counterclockwise as the NO2 filter is being consumed. However, in another embodiment, the ball float graphic can move clockwise, or can be represented by another graphic and move vertically, horizontally, diagonally, etc. According to an embodiment, the gas sample line status area 13 depicts the status of a connected gas sample line. The area 13 includes a bar graph 13a, which comprises a first visual indicator 13b, e.g., a ball float, and a second visual indicator 13c, e.g., a horizontal line. In this regard, the ball 13b can be associated with a first contrasting color above and a second contrasting color below it. The ball 13b can descend as the gas sample line is being used. The line 13c can be an indicator of the time to replace the gas sample line. As such, the placement of the ball 13b is an indication of the functional life of the gas sample line. Of course, alternative illustrations can be used. The bar graph can be inverted, replaced with a dial or circle or with a numerical indicator, such as a percentage of life remaining, etc. The urgency of the replacement can be communicated with color. Amber, for example, can be used to indicate that replacement needs to be completed soon, whereas red can be used to indicate that the part should be replaced immediately. These indicators will aid in preventing^ users from performing unnecessary maintenance or ignoring required maintenance, thereby avoiding gas monitoring failures, high priority alarms, and / or bedside clinical crises. Further, it can also prevent excessive gas sample line replacement from based on an institutionalized replacement schedule, resulting in lower related therapy costs, user maintenance, and / or unplanned bedside visits to address gas monitoring sample line failure related alarms. According to an embodiment, the bagging system area 14 depicts the status of the connected manual resuscitator. The bagging system area can include at least one of a measured flow graphic 14a and NO2 filter graphic 14b. The measured flow graphic 14a depicts the flow of the gas going through the gas port 3. Similarly, the NO2filter graphic 14b^ depicts the status of the NO2filter associated with the gas port 3. The status of the NO2filter can be provided in terms of hours / time and / or percentage of time remaining before the filter should be changed. According to an embodiment, the status of the filter can also be depicted with a ball float graphic that moves in a certain direction around a circle as the NO2filter is being consumed. For example, the ball float graphic can move counterclockwise as the NO2^ filter is being consumed. However, in another embodiment, the ball float graphic can move clockwise around the circle, or can be represented by another graphic and move vertically, horizontally, diagonally, etc. Like the gas sample line, the urgency of the need to replace the NO2 filter can be communicated with color. Amber, for example, can be used to indicate that replacement needs to be completed soon, whereas red can be used to indicate that the part^ should be replaced immediately. According to an embodiment, the set NO concentration area 15 depicts the desired NO concentration set by the user. As described above, the NO concentration can be set using the user interface display 7 or the knob 7a. According to an embodiment, the measured NO concentration area 16 depicts the real-time measured concentration and, optionally, the upper limit 16a and lower limit 16b of a range beyond which an alarm will sound (e.g., 15 to 55 ppm). According to an embodiment, the measured NO2concentration area 17 depicts the real-time measured NO2concentration and, optionally, the upper limit 17a beyond which an alarm will sound (e.g., 3 ppm). According to an embodiment, the measured O2concentration area 18 depicts the real- time measured O2 concentration and, optionally, the upper limit 18a and lower limit 18b of a range beyond which an alarm will sound (e.g., 50 to 90%). According to an embodiment, the power supply status area 19 depicts the status of the remaining battery life in the system 1. This can be provided as graphic 19a that visually^ depicts a depleting battery as the battery is being consumed. The remaining battery life can also be presented in terms of time remaining in hours and / or percentage. Further, when the battery power begins to run low (e.g., within 30 minutes of exhaustion), the graphic 19a can turn to a first warning color, e.g., amber, and then to a second warning color, e.g., red, if the power status is more critical (e.g., when less than 10 minutes of battery power remains). Similarly, the graphic 19a can also depict when the battery is being charged. According to an embodiment, the text area 20 can depict descriptive banners associated with one or more conditions, such as “Bagging Mode On,” “Replace Gas Sample^ Line,” “Replace NO2Filter,” “Bagging Flow Reversed,” “NDM Flow Sensor Failure,” etc. According to an embodiment, during normal operation of the system 1, the NO is being output via the gas port 2 at the desired NO concentration. In this regard, the port light 2a will be illuminated in a first color, e.g., blue, once the gas delivery is within 20% of the set concentration. The concentration of the gas delivery can be determined based on the flow of^ the NO gas being delivered through the gas port 2. The flow can be determined, for example, by a mass flow controller providing the NO gas through the gas port 2. According to an embodiment, during bagging mode, the NO is being output via the gas ports 2 and 3. In this regard, the concentration being output at the gas port 3 can be set based on the desired NO concentration for the gas port 2. Bagging mode can commence once^ the low pressure Air / O2 mixture is provided to the gas port 4. This gas can then be combined with NO and delivered out the gas port 3, which is then connected to a manual resuscitator. The port light 3a will be illuminated in the first color once the gas delivery through the gas port 3 is within 20% of the desired NO concentration. Under failed conditions, the port light 3a can change colors, e.g., from blue to red. Under clinically short time periods of NO delivery, this method of direct indication of NO delivery can lessen the need for gas monitoring. The display can include one or more additional graphics when the gas port 3 is active, such as a graphic that pictures an ambulatory bag with the word “on,” e.g., graphics 14a and / or 14b, and / or a banner with identifying words, such as “Bagging Mode On” in the text area 20. In addition, the measure and / or set gas flow rate associated with the bagging system can also be illustrated, as depicted in 14a. According to an embodiment, in the event of a failure associated with the primary NO source, the system 1 can switch to a backup mode. For example, the switch can occur if NO levels fall outside of the desired range, etc. The switch can also occur if there is a failure of another component(s), e.g., NDM flow sensor. The switch can occur automatically or^ activated manually. Backup mode maintains NO delivery out of the main delivery port, i.e., gas port 3, at certain concentration and flow rate. In this regard, the port light 3a can be illuminated with a warning color (e.g., red or amber). Further, to provide additional indications that backup mode has been activated, the graphic 11b can be illuminated, while the graphic 11a can be depicted with an X over it. Further, the text area 20 can also display a message describing the particular failure, e.g., “NDM Flow Sensor Failure.” The light bar 7b can also flash temporarily to indicate the change in status. According to an embodiment, if a gas port is not correctly plumbed, the corresponding port light can change to a warning color, such as red, to indicate zero gas being^ delivered through the gas port. This can result in reverse flow being detected, e.g., by the corresponding mass flow controller, flow sensor, or pressure sensor (e.g., by detecting the pressure from going positive pressure to negative pressure). In the case of the gas port 3 being incorrectly plumbed, the text area 20 can also display a warning banner, e.g., “Bagging Flow Reversed”. Again, color can be used to highlight the warning. ^ According to an embodiment, the system 1 can be used with NO generation and delivery systems that can generate NO from room air. The NO generation system can be a plasma-based generation system, such as the LungFit® systems. The plasma-based NO generation system can generate NO from room air and deliver it to a mechanical ventilator breathing circuit in a controlled concentration, e.g., from 0.1 to 500 ppm NO. An attached^ NO delivery module (NDM) measures the gas flow in the ventilator breathing circuit and delivers a controlled flow of NO enriched gas into the breathing circuit. The device also incorporates a gas monitoring system (with user-set alarms) for measuring the gas concentrations of NO, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxygen (O2) in the ventilator breathing circuit just prior to inhalation by the patient, via a gas sample line. The plasma-based system can be comprised of three sub-systems: the NO generator with the NO2filter; the NO backup and bagging system; and the gas sampling and monitoring system. The NO generator subsystem produces NO from the O2and nitrogen (N2) in ambient room air. Ambient air (containing approximately 21% O2and 79% N2) for the NO generation is drawn into the device by a gas pump. This air is passed through a particulate filter (removing dust particles) and then to a flow meter that measures the air gas flow. The pump and the flow meter are connected to a micro-controller that ensures the required gas flow of air passes through the NO plasma chamber. In other embodiments, instead of a pump and flow meter, a mass flow controller can be used. At the outlet of the NO generator is an NO2 filter. Its function is to remove NO2 from the NO-containing gas flow before it is delivered to^ the ventilatory circuit. Electronic circuitry in each filter is used to log filter usage to ensure it has not been depleted due to previous use. There can be a one 1-micron filter on the inlet of the filter and one on the outlet of the NO2 filter. A single filter can provide a predetermined time of NO2 filtering, regardless of NO concentration and ventilator settings. The NDM can measure gas flow in the ventilator breathing circuit (flow sensor) and deliver NO gas mixture into the inspiratory limb of the ventilator breathing circuit (injector line and adapter). The NDM can be placed close to the ventilator gas outlet to allow for proper mixing of NO enriched gas from the NDM with the ventilator delivered gas flow. The gas sampling system includes a gas monitoring module, with alarms, for measuring and monitoring the NO, NO2^ and the O2concentrations in the ventilator circuit. This can be done by sampling the gas flow in the inspiratory limb of the ventilator breathing circuit near the patient connection. The gas sample line is attached on one end to the inspiratory limb of the ventilator breathing circuit near the patient connection and to a gas sample port at the other. A gas pump draws gas from the ventilator breathing circuit. The gas sample line can include a hydrophobic filter and^ synthetic polymer-based tubing (e.g., sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene-based fluoropolymer- copolymer). The integrated backup NO delivery system is a completely independent backup NO generating system that is separate from the main delivery system; it has its own NO generator and gas flow delivery system. The backup NO delivery system is generally utilized in the event of a failure of the main NO delivery system. The backup NO delivery system can^ also deliver NO to the bagging system connector. The bagging system connector has two tubing fittings: one for connecting to an air / oxygen source through oxygen tubing or equivalent to provide an external flow of air / oxygen and the other to connect to a manual resuscitator for manually ventilating a patient. The flow from the backup NO module is added to this air / oxygen flow which dilutes the NO concentration down to therapeutic levels. Final NO concentration will depend on the amount of external flow added. The plasma-based system can generate NO from ambient air using a pulsating plasma or electric discharge. U.S. Patent No 9,573,110 by Montgomery et al., for example, describes such a plasma-based system, which is incorporated herein by reference, and described in more detail below. In the following detailed description the term “air” will be used to generally describe the oxygen and nitrogen gas mixture used in plasma chambers to generate NO, but also other gas mixtures containing oxygen and nitrogen that may have been produced from alternative gas sources such gas containers that are commonly used in anesthesia machines and may include alternate concentrations. ^ The plasma-based system includes a plasma chamber with a gas inlet for a gas flow of air, or other oxygen and nitrogen containing gases, to enter the plasma chamber, two electrodes separated by a gap, an electronic control circuit connected to the electrodes to generate an electric discharge across the gap to produce NO, and an outlet for the NO containing gas mixture to exit the chamber. The plasma-based system produces NO in accurately controlled amounts over a wide range of gas flow rates and NO concentrations by controlling one or both of the pulse frequency (number of complete electric discharges per second) and / or the pulse duration (length of each complete electric discharge) of electric pulse discharges across the electrode^ gap. The amount of NO generated is proportional to both the frequency and the duration of the electric pulse discharges and so either one by itself or in combination with the two can provide a wide control range of NO generation. The electronic control circuit starts each electric discharge pulse with a short phase of high voltage to initially ionize the gases and to allow electric current to start flowing across^ the electrode gap, this is then followed by a second phase of the pulse, which is of a lower voltage and current. The first high voltage phase of the pulse can be kept to a small period of time that is just long enough to initially ionize the gases between the electrodes and to allow electric current to flow in the electrode gap. In the second phase of the pulse, the voltage and the current can be reduced to lower values and this phase corresponds to the adjustable^ duration phase of the electric pulse discharge. The apparatus can be designed so that the majority of the NO is generated during the more efficient second phase. There are a number of stable voltage and current combinations that can be used in this second phase of discharge and they have different advantages and disadvantages. This type of electric discharge with intermittent pulse operation with controlled frequency and / or duration at a controlled, predominantly low current provides benefits including: It produces NO efficiently by only producing the amount of NO needed for the application without the need for additional diluent gases. It produces NO without significant increase in the temperature of the gases going to the biological system and therefore does not need cooling apparatus. It significantly reduces electrode wear due to vaporization of the electrode because the average electric current is low. The low current and intermittent pulse electric discharge generates NO efficiently without generating high levels of NO2. Another desired feature of the plasma-based system is to generate NO more efficiently with lower power consumption. One approach to improve the NO generating efficiency is to provide a magnetic field across the electrode gap. This can be achieved by^ using either electric coils or permanent magnets to provide the magnetic field across the electrode gap. With a magnetic field crossing perpendicular to the gap, an increase in the quantity of NO generated of up to 45% for the same electric discharge pulse settings was shown. Specific examples of improved efficiency will be given in the detailed description section of the invention. FIG.3 shows the plasma chamber 101 with a reactor housing 102 which has a reactor gas inlet port 108 and a first electrode 112 on one side and a reactor gas outlet port 110 and a second electrode 120 on the other side. The electrodes can be insulated with non-electrically conducting material 114 and 122 if the chamber housing is made of a material that is^ electrically conducting. The electrodes can have an electrode tip 116 and 124 made of a material that is resistant to high temperatures and is less susceptible to vaporization, oxidization and wear. Materials for the electrode tips can be selected from the Nobel metal group of the periodic table that includes tungsten and platinum. The electrodes are connected to the electronic control circuit with the insulated electrical cables 118 and 126. ^ In one embodiment of the system, the plasma chamber can have magnets 130 and 132 located on the reactor housing 102 so they are adjacent to the air gap between the electrodes 112 and 120, each magnet with the opposite pole facing the chamber so they reinforce the magnetic field across the air gap. One embodiment of the invention has a magnet on each side of the air gap, although a single stronger magnet that exerts the same magnetic field^ strength across the air gap is equally applicable. The magnetic field across the air gap is believed to cause dispersal of the electrical discharges across the air gap, which results in a larger plasma cross-sectional area and more efficient generation of NO. In one embodiment the magnets are rare earth magnets made from neodymium iron and boron. The reactor housing 102 can have a port 134 that allows a photodiode 138 to be in optical communication with the inside of the plasma chamber 101. The optical communication can be provided so the photodiode is mounted directly to the port 134 in the reactor housing or more preferably a fiber optic cable 136 is mounted to the plasma chamber port and then to the photodiode so said photodiode can be located away from the plasma chamber and the electrical disturbances cause by the pulse electric discharges. The photodiode 138 provides a signal that is proportional to the light energy falling on its active surface. When the pulsed electric discharges occur, light is generated in the ionized plasma and the photodiode detects this light. The light signal from the photodiode occurs at the same frequency and pulse duration as the electric discharge as long as the discharge takes place. FIG.4 is a schematic diagram of the NO generator. There are three main subsystems^ that make up the NO generator, the NO generator unit 150, the outlet filter assembly 178 and the NO applicator 184. The NO generator unit is where the NO is generated in controlled amounts and where it is delivered to the generator gas outlet port 176. The generator unit 150 has a main electronic control circuit 160 that interfaces to the main electrical components of the system and provides the main system control features. In one embodiment of the invention, this is a microprocessor based control circuit executing a stored program held in a non-transitory medium, but it is not intended to limit the invention only to microprocessor based control circuits, analog circuits could also be used. Attached to the electronic control circuit are the main user controls comprising of an input setting unit 152 a visual display unit^ 154, a visual alarm indicator 156 and an audible alarm sounder 158, these components are used to provide the desired settings to the main control, display any preprogrammed settings that may have been automatically set from the preprogrammed filter memory and provide audible and visual alarms when there are fault conditions. The main components in contact with the air flow though the device are the generator gas inlet 162 where the air is drawn into^ the unit, the inlet filter 164 which is used to filter the air and remove any unwanted contaminants, the air pump 166 is used to draw the air in from the gas inlet port 162 and to adjust the amount of air flow that is passed through the plasma chamber 101 under the control of the electronic control circuit 160. If the air pump 166 provides un-calibrated control of the gas flow, a gas flow meter 170 can be used to provide the electronic control circuit an^ accurate indication of the gas flow so the pump can be finely adjusted by the electronic control circuit 160 until the gas flow is at the desired set value. If the gas pump 166 provides oscillatory gas flow output as in the case of a piston pump then a damping chamber 168 can be provided to smooth out the oscillations. The gas flow then passes through the plasma chamber 101 where the electric control circuit 160 controls the frequency and duration of the electric discharges across the electrodes 112 and 120 such that NO is generated in the air passing through the chamber. The gas leaving the plasma chamber 101 passes through a second flow meter 172, which is used by the electronic control circuit to provide an independent check that the flow through the plasma chamber is correct. If there has been a failure in the gas pump 166 (indicated by a zero flow rate) or the first flow meter 170 or 172 (indicated by different readings between flow meter 170 and flow meter 172) such that the gas flow through the plasma chamber is not correct, then the electronic control circuit can initiate a visual and / or audible alarm to alert the user to the failure. To detect if there has been a failure in the electric discharge circuits there is the photodiode 138 and / or the electrode current and / or voltage sensing circuit 161 that are connected to the electronic control circuit^ 160, which can determine if the right frequency and pulse duration has been achieved. After the outlet gas flow meter 172 there is an optional pressure trigger sensor 174 connected to the gas flow conduit 173. This pressure trigger sensor 174 can be used by the electronic control circuit 160 to control the NO delivery as a bolus (when the pressure trigger sensor is activated) rather than as a known concentration in a continuous gas flow rate of air. The different modes of delivery will be described in more detail later in the specification. The gas flow continues past the pressure trigger sensor 174 to the gas outlet port 176, where it connects to the outlet filter assembly 178 and out through the NO applicator 184, where it is applied to the biological system 192. ^ The outlet filter assembly 178 has an inlet filter port 180, which connects to the gas outlet port of the NO generator unit 150, a chamber containing adulterant filter material 182, and an outlet port 186, which connects to the NO applicator 184. Adulterant filter materials include materials such as soda lime, activated charcoal, activated alumina and silica gel soaked in ascorbic acid. These materials and others known in the art to remove NO2from^ gases containing NO while leaving the NO levels substantially unchanged may be used. Such materials may have a fixed capacity for removing or converting NO2 before their effectiveness is consumed and they therefore require replacing after a period of use. The size of the filter and the amount of NO2 they are exposed to will impact the usage time before they need replacing. The filter assembly 78 in addition includes a readable programmable^ memory 190, which connects to the NO generator unit through a filter electrical connection 188. The other side of connector 188 connects to the electrical control circuit 60 where the readable programmable memory 190 can be read and reprogrammed by the electrical control circuit 160 as the filter is consumed. One embodiment of the readable programmable memory is an EEPROM, which has a serial interface for reading and programming the memory. An alternative embodiment is where each individual EEPROM (and hence filter assembly) has its own unique identifier included in a small amount of read only memory (ROM). An example of this type of memory is part number 24AA02E48T from Microchip Technology, this is a 2 KBIT EEPROM with each memory chip having its own MAC address permanently programmed into a small section of read only memory. This type of EEPROM with its unique identifier programmed into ROM means that no two filter assemblies will have the same identifier and the identifier will not be able to be updated during use as can occur with the data in the EEPROM memory. This can provide additional protection against reusing spent filters, as individual filter identifiers can be stored in the NO generator when they are used and then the generator will prevent filters with the same identifiers being used in the future^ for example, as might occur if the EEPROM usage data were improperly altered by a corrupted system. An alternative embodiment is where a micro-controller with embedded EEPROM and FLASH memory is used instead of just a serial memory device. This embodiment has the advantage that the reprogramming of the memory can be performed locally by the micro-controller and reduce the processing overhead of the electronic control circuit 160. An example of this type of micro-controller is the ATtiny25 / 45 / 85 from Atmel. Generally, the EEPROM may store usage information obtained from the electronic control circuit 160 that reveals the historical concentrations of NO being produced and thus^ the likely exhaustion rate of the filter 182. Thus, when the filter 182 is used for high NO concentrations and / or high flow rates this will be recorded and the user instructed to replace the filter more frequently than if the filter 182 is used for low NO concentration and / or low flow rate applications. This exhaustion information may be derived both from the concentration value determined by the electronic control 160 and the flow rates determined^ from flow sensors 172 and 170. The EEPROM may also include a proprietary code indicating that it is authorized equipment preventing spoofing of the apparatus with devices that may not provide the desired filtering. The proprietary code may, for example, use any number of techniques including public-key encryption techniques that prevent easy duplication of spurious codes. ^ FIG.5 shows a schematic of the electric discharge drive circuit that is part of the electronic control circuit 160. This represents one embodiment of the drive circuit and people of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate there are other circuit possibilities that can achieve the same function. To establish the high voltage required to initially ionize the air between the electrodes 112 and 120, a capacitor discharge circuit 116 discharges current through a transformer 118 when triggered by a pulse trigger controller 114. This results in a high voltage on the other side of the transformer 118 which is sufficient to cause dielectric breakdown and ionize the gas and initiate current across the electrodes 112 and 120. The discharge pulse duration is maintained by a second circuit, which is powered by a high voltage DC power supply 1100. In the case that the instantaneous current draw is high, the DC power supply 1100 is buffered by a capacitor 1102 to smooth out any high current fluctuations. The DC voltage and current is controlled on or off by a transistor 1104 that is controlled by a pulse duration control circuit 1112 which controls the pulse duration by controlling the on time of the transistor. The drive circuit functions as follows, the electronic control circuit 160 calculates the desired electric discharge frequency and pulse duration that^ will generate the desired quantity of NO, it then triggers each discharge with the pulse trigger controller 1114 which causes a quick high voltage pulse from the transformer 1118, at the same time the electronic control circuit turns on the transistor 1104 for the desired pulse duration with the pulse duration control circuit 1112. The resulting pulse discharge voltage across the electrodes is the desired initial high voltage spike to ionize the gas between the electrodes followed by the desired lower voltage and current for maintaining the desired pulse duration. The actual voltage and current can be controlled by the electronic control circuit 1160 if the pulse duration control circuit 1112 works in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode during the on phase of the pulse discharge. If this PWM mode is used it is^ desirable to use an inductor 1108 to smooth out the modulated current during the electric discharge pulse. The interface circuit 1110 joins the two control circuits prior to applying the discharge voltage to the electrode. It is desirable that this interface circuit 1110 use high voltage diodes to prevent the high voltage spikes from the pulse transformer damaging the transistor 1104. The diode 1106 provides an additional mechanism that grounds any high^ voltage spike greater than its breakdown voltage or negative transients from getting to the pulse duration control circuit 1112. It can be appreciated that this circuit provides a great deal of flexibility in controlling not only the pulse frequency and the pulse duration but also the voltage and current levels during the pulse duration phase of the electric discharge. This allows the electronic control circuit to optimize the electric discharge frequency and pulse^ duration settings to maximize the effectiveness at generating the desired quantity of NO while at the same time minimizing the electric discharge current and so reducing the gas temperature and the electrode wear. FIG.6 is a schematic diagram of the nitric oxide generator, showing the components of the system and their electrical and pneumatic connections, according to another embodiment of this invention. As depicted in the figure, an NO generator unit 151 can include the gas inlet port 162, the inlet filter 164, the air pump 166, a mass flow controller 171 (including a flow sensor 171a and a valve 171b), pressure sensors 163 and 165, the plasma chamber 101, the gas outlet port 176, the electronic control circuit 160, the port lights 2a, 3a, 4a, the graphical user interface 7 / visual display unit 154, the light bar 7b / the visual alarm indicator 156, and the speakers 7c / the audible alarm sounder 158. The NO generator 151 operates as follows. First, the air pump 166 draws the air through the gas inlet port 162, which is then filtered by the inlet filter 164. The filtered air is then provided to the mass flow controller 171, which can be optionally positioned between the pressure sensors 163 and 165. According to an embodiment, the mass flow controller 171 can control the flow rate of air^ through the plasma chamber 101, and therefore, the flow rate of the generated NO gas through the gas outlet port 176. Further, by controlling the flow rate of the NO gas through the gas outlet port 176, the mass flow controller 171 can also control the resultant concentration of the NO gas that is output. As such, the flow rate provided by mass flow controller 171 can be used to determine and confirm the concentration of the NO gas that is output. This information can be used by the electronic control circuit 160 to determine whether or not (i) any of the port lights 2a, 3a, and 4a should be illuminated and which color, (ii) any alarm or other information should be displayed on the user interface 7 or the visual display unit 154, (iii) the light bar 7b or the visual alarm indicator 156 should be illuminated^ and at which color. According to an embodiment, the pressure sensors 163 and 165 can be used to track the pressures upstream and downstream of the pressure sensors 163 and 165, respectively. For example, the pressure sensor 163 can be used in conjunction with the air pump 166 to maintain a certain pressure upstream of the mass flow controller 171, e.g., 20-30 pounds per^ square in gauge (psig). Further, the pressure sensor 165 can indicate (i) the pressure that the plasma chamber 101 is operating at and (ii) the type of applicator 184 being used, e.g., high pressure (high frequency ventilation), low pressure (mechanical ventilation). According to an embodiment, the NO generator unit 151 can also include a ballast (not shown) between the air pump 166 and the mass flow controller 171. In this regard, the^ ballast can be used to stabilize the pressure that the mass flow controller 171 operates with, e.g., during peak flow demand. FIG.7A is a schematic diagram of a nitric oxide generation system, including two nitric oxide generators, according to an embodiment of this invention. As depicted in the figure, a nitric oxide generation system 301 includes a first subsystem for generating NO 310, a second subsystem for generating NO 320, an electronic control circuit 160, the port lights 2a, 3a, 4a, the graphical user interface 7 / visual display unit 154, the light bar 7b / the visual alarm indicator 156, the speakers 7c / the audible alarm sounder 158, valve 275, gas outlet ports 176 and 276, bagging gas inlet port 277, the filter 178, NO delivery module (NDM) 187, breathing apparatus 189 (e.g., mechanical ventilator, high frequency ventilator, high flow nasal cannula), gas sample line 193, and gas sampling system 400. According to an embodiment, the solid lines between the components represent pneumatic connections, while the dashed lines represent electrical connections. According to an embodiment, the first subsystem 310 can include the gas inlet port 162, the inlet filter 164, the air pump 166, a mass flow controller 171 (including a flow sensor^ 171a and a valve 171b), the pressure sensors 163 and 165, and the plasma chamber 101. According to another embodiment, the first subsystem 310 can also include a ballast (not shown) between the air pump 166 and the mass flow controller 171. According to an embodiment, the second subsystem 320 can include the gas inlet port 262, the inlet filter 264, the air pump 266, a flow sensor 171, and the plasma chamber 101. According to an embodiment, the valve 275 can be a three-way valve. In this regard, the valve 275 can be used to direct generated NO gas from either one of the first subsystem 310 or the second subsystem 320 to either the gas outlet port 176 or the gas outlet port 276. As such, the valve 275 can be used to switch between four distinct gas delivery modes: (1)^ main NO delivery mode; (2) bagging NO delivery mode; (3) main NO and bagging delivery mode; and (4) backup NO delivery mode. According to an embodiment, during the main NO delivery mode, the valve 275 is closed and only the first subsystem 310 is active. As such, the NO gas generated by the first subsystem 310 is provided to the gas outlet port 176 to treat patient 192. ^ According to an embodiment, during the bagging NO delivery mode, the valve 275 is configured such that it only receives NO gas generated by the second subsystem 320 and an air / oxygen source via the bagging gas inlet port 277. The valve 275 then provides the gas mixture of the NO and air / oxygen to the gas outlet port 276, which can be connected to a manual resuscitator, e.g., ambulatory bag. ^ According to an embodiment, during the main NO and bagging delivery mode, the valve 275 is configured such that (i) NO gas generated by the first subsystem 310 is provided to the gas outlet port 176 and (ii) the gas mixture of the NO gas generated by the second subsystem 320 and the air / oxygen from the bagging gas inlet port 277 to the gas outlet port 276. Lastly, during the backup NO delivery mode, the valve 275 is configured such that it only receives NO gas generated by the second subsystem 320 and provides it to the gas outlet port 176. According to an embodiment, backup NO delivery mode can be triggered automatically. In this regard, backup NO delivery mode can be triggered upon detection of a disruption with the first subsystem 310. The disruption can be a complete or partial cessation of NO gas generation by the plasma chamber 101. The disruption can also be a result of an overgeneration of NO gas by the plasma chamber 101. According to an embodiment, the NO gas generated by the second subsystem 310 can be based on an air flow rate associated with the mass flow controller 171. In this regard, the air flow rate can be a historical average air flow rate data that is calculated based on historical flow rate data tracked over a certain time^ period, e.g., from 1 second to 5 minutes. According to an embodiment, the NO gas generated by the second subsystem 310 can be provided at either a fixed or variable concentration. According to an embodiment, the first subsystem 310 and the second subsystem 320 can use one or more of the same components during one or more of the above gas delivery modes. For example, instead of separate gas inlet ports 162 and 262, only one gas inlet port can be used. According to an embodiment, NO gas output via the gas outlet port 176 is filtered through the filter 178 and then provided to the NDM 187. The NDM 187 is connected to (i)^ the inspiratory limb of a patient wye for a patient 192 and (ii) the breathing apparatus 189, which is also connected to the expiratory limb of the patient wye, thereby creating a breathing circuit for the patient 192. According to an embodiment, the gas sample line 193 can also be connected to the inspiratory limb of the patient wye in order to provide the combined gas to the gas sampling^ system 400 for the measurement NO, NO2, and O2in the combined gas just prior to inhalation by the patient. The gas sampling system 400 can then provide this measurement information to electronic control circuit 160 so that it can then be displayed on the graphical user interface 7 / visual display unit 154. FIG.7B is a schematic diagram of the NDM depicted in FIG.7A, according to an^ embodiment of this invention. As depicted in the figure, the NDM 187 includes an NO gas inlet port 187a, a breathing gas inlet port 187b, a flow sensor 187c, and a combined gas outlet port 187d. According to an embodiment, the NO gas inlet port 187a is configured to receive the filtered NO gas from the filter 178; the breathing gas inlet port 187b is configured to receive breathing gas from the breathing apparatus 189; the flow sensor 187c is configured to sense the breathing gas flow rate from the breathing apparatus 189; and the combined gas outlet port 187d is configured to provide a combined flow of breathing gas and NO to the patient 192. According to an embodiment, the flow sensor 187c can transmit the sensed breathing gas flow rate data to the electronic control circuit 160. The sensed breathing flow rate data can then be used by the electronic control circuit 160 to determine whether or not (i) any of the port lights 2a, 3a, and 4a should be illuminated and which color, (ii) any alarm or other information should be displayed on the user interface 7 or the visual display unit 154, (iii) the light bar 7b or the visual alarm indicator 156 should be illuminated and at which color. For example, the information can indicate if there is a failure with the flow sensor 187c and, therefore, require that the system 301 operate in backup NO delivery mode. ^ FIG.8 is a schematic diagram of a gas sampling system, according to an embodiment of this invention. As depicted in the figure, the gas sampling system 400 includes a gas inlet 401, a gas outlet 401b, a pressure relief system 402, a calibration system 403, a pump 404, gas sensors 405, a flow sensor 406, and a processor 407. According to an embodiment, the gas inlet 401 is configured to receive a gas sample line 193. As depicted in the figure, the gas sample line 193 includes a filter 193a and is in fluid communication with the inspiratory limb of the patient wye. According to an embodiment, the filter 193a can remove particulates from the gas sample line 193. ^ According to an embodiment, the pressure relief system 402 includes a filter 402a and a valve 402b. According to an embodiment, the valve 402b can be a bypass valve. In this regard, the valve 402b can release any pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold or causes a change from negative pressure to positive pressure. In this regard, the bypass valve can include a spring-loaded mechanism that is actuated if the pressure across the valve^ exceeds a predetermined threshold or causes a change from negative pressure to positive pressure. Here, the spring-loaded mechanism can be configured to trigger if (i) the pressure exceeds, for example, .01 psig to 1.0 psig or (ii) a positive pressure is detected. According to another embodiment, the valve 402b is communication with the processor 407 and is actuated upon a determination that a parameter associated with the pump 404 falls below a certain^ threshold. According to an embodiment, the pump 404 parameter is one of vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM % pump control, and pump motor speed. According to another embodiment, the valve 402b can be actuated upon a determination, by the processor 407, that a flow parameter associated with the medical gas exceeds a certain threshold. In this regard, the flow parameter can be determined with the flow sensor 406. According to an embodiment, the flow parameter can be flow rate. In this regard, the valve 402b can be actuated if the flow rate of the medical gas exceeds, e.g., 20 percent, of the target flow rate used to withdraw medical gas from the gas sample line, e.g., 140 mL / minute. According to an embodiment, the filter 402a is configured to protect forward flow performance of the valve 402b and other downstream components from contamination. The filter 402a can be a polypropylene fiber filter. According to an embodiment, the pressure relief system 402 is in fluid communication with the gas sample line 193. According to an embodiment, the calibration system 403 can include a valve and a filter in fluid communication with the room air (not shown). According to an embodiment, the valve is configured to operate in two modes. In the first mode, the valve is configured to^ input the medical gas from the gas sample line 193 via the pressure relief system 402. In the second mode, the valve is configured to input room air via the filter in fluid communication with the room air, thereby allowing the gas sensors 405 to be calibrated with the room air. According to an embodiment, the valve can be a solenoid valve. In this regard, the processor 407 can actuate the solenoid valve in the calibration system 403 when the gas sensors 405 need to be re-calibrated. According to an embodiment, the pump 404 is configured to draw in the medical gas into the gas sampling system 400 via the gas sample line 193. ^ According to an embodiment, the gas sensors 405 include an NO sensor 405a, an NO2sensor 405b, and an O2sensor 405c. In this regard, the NO sensor 405a, NO2sensor 405b, and the O2sensor 405c are configured to sense and report the NO concentration, NO2concentration, and O2concentration, respectively, sampled from the inspiratory limb via the gas sample line 193. ^ According to an embodiment, the flow sensor 406 is configured to sense the flow rate of the sampled medical gas. According to an embodiment, the processor 407 can be a microprocessor-based control circuit executing a stored program held in a non-transitory medium, but it is not intended to limit the invention only to microprocessor based control circuits, analog circuits^ could also be used. According to another embodiment, the gas sampling system 400 can include a pressure sensor (not shown) located upstream of the pump 404. In this regard, the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure parameter in the sampled medical gas. For example, the pressure sensor can sense if the medical gas transitions from negative pressure to positive pressure relative to atmospheric pressure. According to an embodiment, this sensed pressure information can be used by the processor 407 to actuate the valve in the pressure relief system 402. As depicted in the figure, the processor 407 can be electrically connected to and, therefore, receive data from and control the pressure relief system 402, the calibration system 403, the pump 404, the gas sensors 405, and the flow sensor 406. With regard to the pressure relief system 402, the processor 407 can actuate the valve 402b if it is determined that there is excess pressure in the gas sampling system 400. In this regard, during normal operation of the gas sampling system 400, the pump 404 pulls in the medical gas from the gas sample line 193 and, therefore, creates a negative pressure ^ environment in the gas sampling system 400. However, certain high-pressure therapies, such as those using a high-flow nasal canula or a high-frequency ventilator, result in an increase of positive pressure in the gas sample line 193 and, therefore, the gas sampling system 400. This increase in positive pressure can affect the accuracy of gas sampling system 400’s monitoring and should be corrected as soon as possible. According to an embodiment, the increase in positive pressure can be detected via (i) the pump 404, (ii) the flow sensor 406, or the pressure sensor. With regard to the pump 404, any increase in positive pressure will result in a decreased pull from the pump 404. As such, certain parameters associated with the pump 404, such as vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM %^ pump control, or pump motor speed, will also decrease. In this regard, if one of these parameters falls below a certain threshold, the processor 407 can actuate the valve 402b to release the excess pressure via the gas outlet 401b. With regard to the flow sensor 406, any increase in positive pressure will result in in an increase in certain flow parameters, such as flow rate. In this regard, if the flow rate exceeds a percentage of a certain threshold, e.g., 140^ mL / minute, the processor 407 can actuate the valve 402b to release the excess pressure via the gas outlet 401b. With regard to the pressure sensor, the processor can actuate the valve 402b if the pressure sensor detects a change from negative pressure to positive pressure. According to another embodiment, the valve 402b can be a bypass valve and release any pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold, without needing to be actuated by the ^ processor 407. With regard to the pump 404, the processor 407 can also monitor the corresponding parameters, e.g., vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM % pump control, or pump motor speed, to determine the functional life of the gas sample line 193. The “functional life” of the gas sample line 193 is the period of time the line will continue to be useful. According to an embodiment, flow resistance can be a convenient indicator of the functional life of the gas sample line 193 as flow resistance will increase with use and the functional life of the line will decrease correspondingly. In this regard, flow resistance can increase as the filter 193a removes particulates from the gas sample line 193. The increased flow resistance requires an increase in vacuum pump power by the pump 404 to maintain a constant flow. As such, an increase or decrease of a certain pump parameter can be used to indicate that functional life of the gas sample line 193, in real time. This information can be transmitted from the processor 407 to the electronic control circuit 160 so that it can be displayed to a user in a graphical user interface, e.g., the gas sample line status area 13 in the user interface layout 10 (see FIG.9 for portion of the user interface layout 10^ focusing on the gas sample line status area 13). In this regard, as the working pneumatic load increases over time, the active bar graph 13a will “fill” indicating its current working load state. Prior to reaching full pump working vacuum, loss of gas sample flow rate, or change in monitoring accuracy, an indicator, such as the first visual indicator 13b, can indicate to the user that the gas sample line 193 should be replaced soon by, for example, reaching the second visual indicator 13c. As pumping load increases, the first visual indicator will drop in proportion indicating filter life consumption in real time. When the functional life of the gas sample line 193 approaches the time required for replacement, the visual display can show the first visual indicator 13b approach or cross the second visual indicator 13c. Allowing the^ gas sample line 193 to continue beyond this point can result in a gas sample line failure and corresponding urgent machine alarm. According to another embodiment, instead of the bar graph 13a, the functional of the gas sample line 193 can also be depicted as a percentage, integer, etc. For example, when a gas sample line 193 has been newly replaced (at time = zero), the flow resistance will be at its lowest state and, therefore, functional life can be^ considered to be at 100%. As the flow resistance increases, this percentage will decrease in proportion. According to an embodiment, the visual representation of the functional life, e.g., bar graph 13a, percentage, etc., can be scaled and calibrated to the pump control input to provide proportional user feedback. In this regard, when the gas sample line is replaced, the displayed graph 13a will be recalibrated based on parameters associated with at least one of^ the gas sample pump and the new gas sample line, such as vacuum pressure (mmHg), vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM % pump control, or pump motor speed, e.g., via a tachometer. This can be done automatically or manually. For example, the graph 13a can be automatically scaled and recalibrated by (i) detecting at least one of the pump parameters, (ii) comparing the detected pump parameter to a target value, and (iii) upon determining the pump parameter meets the target value, recalibrating the bar graph 13a back to 100%. Further, the graph 13a can be manually scaled and recalibrated by inputting certain values via the user interface layout 10. For example, a user can press the gas sample line symbol key (shown here as a circle with an S and an arrow) to initiate the manual recalibration. With regard to the gas sensors 405, the processor 407 can monitor and transmit the real-time NO, NO2, and O2 concentrations to the electronic control circuit 160 so that it can be displayed on the user interface layout 10, e.g., via measured NO concentration area 16, measured NO2 concentration area 17, and measured O2 concentration area 18. FIG.10A is an illustration of the bottom enclosure of a nitric oxide delivery system,^ FIG.10B illustrates a side view of the bottom enclosure, and FIG.10C illustrates a cross- sectional view of the bottom enclosure, according to an embodiment of this invention. As depicted in the figures, the bottom enclosure of the system 1 includes a plurality of sloped depressions 31 along a first portion and a mounting bracket 32 in a second portion. According to an embodiment, the sloped depressions 31 are configured to receive at least one external plunger 41a associated with a transport device 40. In this regard, the at least one external plunger 41a can be located on a mounting bracket 41 connected to the transport device 40. According to an embodiment, the at least one external plunger 41a can be located on either side of the mounting bracket 41 and is configured to engage with the sloped depressions 31.^ According to an embodiment, the sloped depressions 31 are configured to gradually depress the external plungers 41a as they traverse proximally along the first portion of the bottom enclosure. Once partially or fully depressed, the external plungers 41a can then traverse along the mounting bracket 32 until they engage with receptacles 32a, which are configured to receive the external plungers 41a. According to an embodiment, the external plungers 41a can^ be spring-loaded. Further, according to an embodiment, the transport device 40 can be one of a cart or a wheeled system, such as a hospital bed. According to an embodiment, the gas sampling system 400 can be used with any NO source, including containers storing NO and any NO generator. In this regard, the NO source can be provided via the NDM 187. According to an embodiment, the NO generator can^ generate the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). In this regard, the NO generator can generate the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air as described above in relation the plasma-based generation systems, e.g., NO generators 101, 201. NO can also be generated by heating liquid N2O4, which generates NO2, which can then be turned into NO gas via an antioxidant, e.g., ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, and / or gamma tocopherol. Further, NO gas can also be generated via a reaction between HNO3and gaseous sulfur dioxide (SO2). While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS 1. A nitric oxide gas delivery system, the system comprising: at least one nitric oxide (NO) gas generator to generate NO gas; ^ a plurality of port lights surrounding a plurality of corresponding gas ports, wherein each of the port lights are configured to display a color; and an electronic control circuit, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to enable the plurality of port lights to display the color based on (i) status of the at least one NO gas generator and (ii) a flow of the NO gas being delivered through the corresponding gas^ ports.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of port lights are illuminated upon activation of the corresponding gas ports. ^ 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the color displayed by the port lights indicates whether a set concentration of NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the plurality of port lights are configured to: (i) display a first color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port at the^ set concentration, (ii) display a second color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port at a concentration different from the set concentration, and (iii) display a third color if the NO gas is not being delivered through the corresponding gas port at all. ^ 5. The system of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one of the corresponding gas ports is a gas outlet.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the gas outlet is selected from a NO delivery outlet or a manual resuscitation bagging outlet. ^ 7. The system of any one of claims 1-6, further comprising two NO gas generators.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the two NO gas generators are operated simultaneously.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein only one of the two NO gas generators is operated at a time. ^ 10. The system of claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of port lights displays a first color during the operation of a first NO gas generator and displays a second color during the operation of a second NO gas generator.

11. The system of any one of claims 1-10, wherein NO gas is generated from nitrogen^ (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3).

12. The system of any one of claims 1-11, further comprising: a graphical user interface display, wherein the graphical user interface display is^ configured to display the status of the at least one NO gas generator.

13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a gas sample line port, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display the status of a gas sample line configured to connect a breathing circuit to the gas sample port. ^ 14. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the graphical user interface is further configured to receive user input for a set concentration of NO gas to deliver.

15. The system of any one of claims 12-14, further comprising a light bar, wherein the^ light bar is configured to display a color based on (i) the status of the at least one NO gas generator and (ii) the flow of the NO gas being delivered through the corresponding gas ports.

16. A nitric oxide gas delivery system, the system comprising: ^ a nitric oxide (NO) source providing NO gas; a plurality of port lights surrounding a plurality of corresponding gas ports, wherein each of the port lights are configured to display a color; andan electronic control circuit, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to enable the plurality of port lights to display the color based on a flow of the NO gas being delivered through the corresponding gas ports. ^ 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of port lights are illuminated upon activation of the corresponding gas ports.

18. The system of claim 16 or 17, wherein the color displayed by the port lights indicates whether a set concentration of NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port.^ 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of port lights are configured to: (i) display a first color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port at the set concentration, (ii) display a second color if the NO gas is being delivered through the corresponding gas port at a concentration different from the set concentration, and (iii)^ display a third color if the NO gas is not being delivered through the corresponding gas port at all.

20. The system of any one of claims 16-19, wherein at least one of the plurality of corresponding gas ports is a gas outlet. ^ 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the gas outlet is selected from a NO delivery outlet, a manual resuscitation bagging inlet, or a manual resuscitation bagging outlet.

22. The system of any one of claims 16-21, wherein the NO source is one of a container^ storing NO or an NO generator.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the NO generator generates the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). ^ 24. The system of claim 22 or 23, further comprising: a graphical user interface display, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display the status of the NO generator.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the graphical user interface is further configured to receive user input for a set concentration of NO gas to deliver.

26. A nitric oxide gas delivery system, the system comprising: ^ a first subsystem for generating nitric oxide (NO) gas, the first subsystem comprising a first NO generator and a mass flow controller, wherein the mass flow controller controls the flow rate of air into the first NO generator; a second NO subsystem for generating NO gas, the second subsystem comprising a second NO generator; ^ at least one gas outlet port for delivering the NO gas generated by the first subsystem or the second subsystem; and an electronic control circuit configured to select one of the first subsystem and the second subsystem for providing NO gas to the at least one gas outlet port based on air flow rate associated with the mass flow controller. ^ 27. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of claim 26, wherein the air flow rate is a historical average air flow rate associated with the mass flow controller.

28. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of claim 27, wherein the historical average air^ flow rate is calculated based on historical flow rate tracked over a time period. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of claim 28, wherein the time period is from 1 second to 5 minutes. ^ 30. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 26-29, further comprising an NO delivery module in fluid communication with the at least one gas outlet port, wherein the NO delivery module comprises a breathing gas flow sensor configured to sense a breathing gas flow rate. ^ 31. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of claim 30, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to select the second subsystem for providing NO gas to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a disruption in the breathing gas flow rate.

32. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of claim 31, wherein the disruption is based on failure of the breathing gas flow sensor.

33. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 30-32, wherein the ^ breathing gas flow rate is provided by the NO delivery module to the electronic control circuit.

34. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 26-33, wherein the electronic control circuit is configured to select the second subsystem for providing NO gas^ to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a disruption with the first subsystem.

35. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of claim 34, wherein the disruption is one of a complete or partial cessation of NO gas generation by the first NO generator. ^ 36. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of claim 34, wherein the disruption is a result of an overgeneration of NO gas by the first NO generator.

37. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 26-36, wherein the provided NO gas is at a fixed or variable concentration. ^ 38. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 26-37, wherein the first and second NO gas generators comprise a plasma chamber enclosing two electrodes separate by a gap. ^ 39. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 26-38, wherein each of the first and second NO gas generators generates NO gas from liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3).

40. A method of delivering nitric oxide gas, the method comprising: ^ generating nitric oxide (NO) gas with a first subsystem, wherein the first subsystem comprises a first NO generator; and a mass flow controller, wherein the mass flow controller controls the flow rate of air into the first NO generator;generating NO gas with a second subsystem, wherein the second subsystem comprises a second NO gas generator, wherein the NO gas generated by the second subsystem is based on the flow rate of air associated with the mass flow controller; and providing NO gas generated by the first subsystem or the second subsystem to at least^ one gas outlet port.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the flow rate of air is a historical average air flow rate associated with the mass flow controller. ^ 42. The method of claim 40, wherein the historical average air flow rate is calculated based on historical flow rate tracked over a time period.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the time period is from 1 second to 5 minutes. ^ 44. The method of any one of claims 40-43, wherein the NO gas generated by the second subsystem is provided to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a disruption in a breathing gas flow rate.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the disruption is based on failure of the breathing^ gas flow sensor.

46. The method of any one of claims 40-45, wherein the NO gas generated by the second subsystem is provided to the at least one gas outlet port upon detection of a disruption with the first subsystem. ^ 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the disruption is one of a complete or partial cessation of NO gas generation by the first NO generator.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the disruption is a result of an overgeneration of NO^ gas by the first NO generator.

49. The method of any one of claims 40-48 wherein the provided NO gas by the first and / or second subsystem is at a fixed or variable concentration.

50. The method of any one of claims 40-49, wherein the first and second NO gas generators comprise a plasma chamber enclosing two electrodes separate by a gap.

51. The method of any one of claims 40-50, wherein the first and second NO gas^ generators generates NO gas from liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3).

52. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 1-15, further comprising: a bottom enclosure, wherein the bottom enclosure comprises: ^ at least one sloped depression along a portion of the bottom enclosure, wherein the at least one sloped depression is configured to depress at least one external plunger as it traverses proximally along the bottom enclosure; and a mounting bracket including at least one receptacle to receive the at least one external plunger. ^ 53. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 16-25, further comprising: a bottom enclosure, wherein the bottom enclosure comprises: at least one sloped depression along a portion of the bottom enclosure, wherein the at least one sloped depression is configured to depress at least one^ external plunger as it traverses proximally along the bottom enclosure; and a mounting bracket including at least one receptacle to receive the at least one external plunger.

54. The nitric oxide gas delivery system of any one of claims 26-39, further comprising:^ a bottom enclosure, wherein the bottom enclosure comprises: at least one sloped depression along a portion of the bottom enclosure, wherein the at least one sloped depression is configured to depress at least one external plunger as it traverses proximally along the bottom enclosure; and a mounting bracket including at least one receptacle to receive the at least one^ external plunger.

55. A gas sampling system for a medical gas delivery device, the gas sampling system comprising: a gas sample line;a pump; and a pressure relief system, wherein the pump is configured to draw in a medical gas into the gas sampling system via the gas sample line; and the pressure relief system is configured to release excess pressure in the^ gas sampling system via an outlet.

56. The gas sampling system of claim 55, wherein the excess pressure is a pressure amount that exceeds a predetermined threshold. ^ 57. The gas sampling system of claim 56, wherein the predetermined threshold is from .01 to 1.0 psig.

58. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 55-57, wherein the excess pressure is a result of a positive pressure in the gas sample line. ^ 59. The gas sampling system of claim 58, wherein the positive pressure is generated by a breathing apparatus in fluid communication with the gas sample line.

60. The gas sampling system of claim 59, wherein the breathing apparatus is one of a^ high-flow nasal cannula, mechanical ventilator, and a high frequency ventilator.

61. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 55-60, wherein the pressure relief system comprises a valve and a filter. ^ 62. The gas sampling system of claim 61, wherein the valve is a bypass valve, wherein the bypass valve is configured to release any pressure exceeding the predetermined threshold.

63. The gas sampling system of claim 61 or 62, wherein the valve is in communication with a processor and is actuated upon determination that a pump parameter falls below a^ certain threshold.

64. The gas sampling system of claim 63, wherein the pump parameter is one of vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, pulse wave modulation (PWM) % pump control, and pump motor speed.

65. The gas sampling system of claim 61, wherein the valve is in communication with a processor and is actuated upon determination that a flow parameter associated with the medical gas falls below a certain threshold, wherein the flow parameter is determined with a^ flow sensor in fluid communication with the pressure relief system.

66. The gas sampling system of claim 65, wherein the flow parameter is flow rate.

67. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 61-66, wherein the filter is configured^ to protect forward flow performance of the valve from contamination.

68. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 55-67, wherein the pressure relief system is in fluid communication with the gas sample line. ^ 69. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 55-68, wherein the medical gas includes nitric oxide (NO) gas.

70. The gas sampling system of claim 69, wherein the NO gas is provided by a NO source. ^ 71. The gas sampling system of claim 70, wherein the NO source is one of a container storing NO or an NO generator.

72. The gas sampling system of claim 71, wherein the NO generator generates the NO gas^ from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3).

73. A gas sampling system for a medical gas delivery device, the system comprising: a gas sample line including a filter; ^ a pump; and a processor, wherein the pump is configured to draw in a medical gas into the gas sampling system via the gas sample line, and the processor is configured (i) determine an input parameter associated with the pump required to maintain a constant flow rate in the gas sample line, (ii) determinereal-time information of the gas sample line based on the input parameter, and (iii) update a user interface display based on the determined real-time information.

74. The gas sampling system of claim 73, wherein the input parameter is selected from^ one or more of vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM % pump control, and pump motor speed.

75. The gas sampling system of claim 73 or 74, wherein the real-time information is related to the functional life of the gas sample line. ^ 76. The gas sampling system of claim 75, wherein the real-time information is provided in a bar graph on the user interface display.

77. The gas sampling system of claim 76, wherein the bar graph includes a first visual^ indicator with a first contrasting color above the first visual indicator and a second contrasting color below the first visual indicator, wherein the first visual indicator descends as the gas sample line is being used.

78. The gas sampling system of claim 77, wherein the bar graph includes a second visual^ indicator below the first visual indicator, wherein the second visual indicator corresponds to an alarm threshold.

79. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 76-78, wherein the bar graph is recalibrated upon replacement of the gas sample line. ^ 80. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 73-79, wherein the filter removes particulates from the gas sample line.

81. The gas sampling system of any one of claims 73-80, wherein the medical gas^ includes nitric oxide (NO) gas.

82. The gas sampling system of claim 81, wherein the NO gas is provided by a NO source.

83. The gas sampling system of claim 82, wherein the NO source is one of a container storing NO or an NO generator.

84. The gas sampling system of claim 83, wherein the NO generator generates the NO gas^ from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3).

85. A method for monitoring real-time information of a gas sample line in a gas sampling system, the method comprising: ^ determining an input parameter for a pump required to maintain a constant flow rate in the gas sample line, wherein the pump draws in the medical gas into the gas sampling system via the gas sample line; determining the real-time information of the gas sample line based on the input parameter; and ^ update the user interface display based on the determined real-time information.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the input parameter is selected from one or more of vacuum pressure, vacuum pump power, pump input current, pump voltage, PWM % pump^ control, and pump motor speed.

87. The method of claim 85 or 86, wherein the determined real-time information is related to the functional life of the gas sample line. ^ 88. The method of any one of claims 85-87, wherein the determined real-time information is provided in a bar graph on the user interface display.

89. The method of claim 88, wherein the bar graph includes a first visual indicator with a first contrasting color above the first visual indicator and a second contrasting color below the^ first visual indicator, wherein the first visual indicator descends as the gas sample line is being used.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the bar graph includes a second visual indicator below the first visual indicator, wherein the second visual indicator corresponds to an alarm threshold. ^ 91. The method of any one of claims 88-90, wherein the bar graph is recalibrated upon replacement of the gas sample line.

92. The method of any one of claims 85-91, wherein the medical gas includes nitric oxide (NO) gas. ^ 93. The method of claim 92, wherein the NO gas is provided by a NO source.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein the NO source is one of a container storing NO or an NO generator. ^ 95. The method of claim 94, wherein the NO generator generates the NO gas from nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) present in ambient air, liquid dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4), gaseous nitrogen dioxide (NO2), or nitric acid (HNO3). ^

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