Layered Double Hydroxide Nitrogen Monoxide Release Without Pressure Bombs

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of a safe and efficient method for sustained release of low-concentration nitrogen monoxide gas at normal temperature, which is crucial for medical applications due to the instability and handling difficulties of nitrogen oxides, limiting their use to well-equipped hospitals and posing safety risks with existing gas bombs and chemical reactions.

Innovation Solution

A nitrogenous gas sustained releaser composed of a layered double hydroxide (LDH) containing nitrite or nitrate ions, which reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor to sustainably release nitrogen monoxide and other nitrogenous gases through controlled anion exchange reactions, eliminating the need for hazardous reagents and power sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nitrogen monoxide is supplied from a pressure bomb, then the gas can be delivered and used for medical treatment, but it becomes difficult to deliver and install due to capacity and weight, and safety accidents occur due to errors in gas flow rate and concentration control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety of nitrogen monoxide supplyVSAvoidcomplexity of gas supply system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the active ingredient (nitrogen monoxide) from the complex pressure bomb system and embeds it within a solid layered double hydroxide structure. The gas is generated in situ through controlled chemical reactions, eliminating the need for high-pressure storage and complex flow control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical state of nitrogen monoxide from gaseous (stored under pressure) to solid-state precursor forms within the layered double hydroxide structure. The gas is released through controlled chemical reactions rather than pressure differential, fundamentally changing the delivery mechanism parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If nitrogen monoxide is generated in the body through drug preparation, then the gas can be delivered without pressure bombs, but it causes systemic hypotension by relaxing whole blood vessels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of nitrogen monoxide deliveryVSAvoidsystemic hypotension side effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention enables localized generation of nitrogen monoxide at the site of need through the layered double hydroxide structure. By controlling the chemical reactions to occur where required, the gas acts locally on pulmonary blood vessels rather than causing systemic effects throughout the body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The layered double hydroxide acts as an intermediary carrier that controls the release of nitrogen monoxide. It mediates between the solid precursor materials and the gaseous active ingredient, enabling controlled local delivery while preventing unwanted systemic distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If nitrogen monoxide is used in the field, then medical treatment can be provided outside hospitals, but advanced medical equipment is needed to carefully control and monitor concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability of nitrogen monoxide deliveryVSAvoidcomplexity of control and monitoring equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The layered double hydroxide structure is designed to automatically control the release of nitrogen monoxide through its inherent chemical properties and structure. The material self-regulates the generation and release rates, eliminating the need for external control systems and monitoring equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The nitrogen monoxide is pre-loaded into the layered double hydroxide structure during manufacturing. The controlled release mechanism is built into the material structure itself, so no additional control equipment is needed during field deployment - the system is prepared in advance for autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If nitrogen monoxide is generated through chemical reactions of copper with dilute nitric acid or sodium nitrite with sulfuric acid, then the gas can be produced without pressure bombs, but safety problems arise from using high-reactive chemical substances and sustained releasability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of nitrogen monoxide generationVSAvoidsafety hazards of reactive chemicals
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite layered double hydroxide materials that combine multiple metal hydroxide layers with intercalated nitrate or nitrite ions. This composite structure provides stable, controlled release of nitrogen monoxide without requiring highly reactive individual chemicals, enhancing safety while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The layered double hydroxide material can be designed as a disposable unit that is stable during storage but generates nitrogen monoxide reliably when activated. The material structure itself provides the necessary stability and controlled release without requiring additional safety infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The LDH-based releaser provides a safe, portable, and efficient means to deliver nitrogen monoxide and other nitrogenous gases, suitable for medical applications, including respiratory treatments, without the risks associated with traditional methods, and can be stored and operated without complex equipment.

Implementation Method 1

reacts with atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor to sustainably release nitrogen monoxide and other nitrogenous gases through controlled anion exchange reactions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAnion exchange reaction: Ion Exchange

Data Source

PatentEP3957604B1Nitrogen-based gas sustained release agent, nitrogen-based gas sustained release body comprising same, nitrogen-based gas sustained release method using sustained release body, breathing instrument, wrapping body, and sustained release device
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 NAT INST FOR MATERIALS SCI
  • EP3957604B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957604B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3957604B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a nitrogenous gas sustained releasing agent that is capable of sustainably releasing off nitrogenous gases in the air at normal temperature and safe to handle and a nitrogenous gas sustained releaser composed of the same as well as a nitrogenous gas sustained releasing method, respiratory equipment, a package and a nitrogenous gas sustained releasing apparatus using said sustained releaser. The nitrogenous gas sustained releasing agent contains a layered double hydroxide having nitrite ions (NO2-) and/or nitrate ions (NO3-) included between layers. The nitrogenous gas sustained releaser composed of the sustained releasing agent is exposed to a gas containing carbon dioxide and water vapor to induce any one or more processes of sustained release of nitrous acid, self-decomposition of nitrous acid, oxidization/reduction of nitrous acid, and reduction of nitrite ions/nitrate ions thereby sustainably releasing off nitrogenous gases.