Modular Nitric Oxide Delivery Device for Patient Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nitric oxide delivery devices for patients are bulky and inconvenient for maintaining therapy during patient transport between locations, as they tend to be proximate to the patient and obstruct caregivers, and may react with oxygen to form toxic nitrogen dioxide.
Innovation Solution
A modular nitric oxide delivery device that can be inserted into a gas delivery system's equipment bay, allowing for seamless transfer between locations, featuring a compact design with a connector for NO supply, flow control, and gas sampling, and powered by either mains or battery for continuous or pulsatile NO delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a stand alone nitric oxide delivery unit is used to ensure compatibility with various breathing gas delivery systems, then versatility is improved, but device size increases making it bulky and obstructive to caregivers
Solution Approach 1:
The nitric oxide delivery system is divided into separate functional modules: a compact delivery module that interfaces with the breathing circuit and a separate control unit. This segmentation allows the delivery module to be small and non-obstructive while the control unit handles compatibility protocols for different breathing gas delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed with universal communication capabilities that can interface with multiple types of breathing gas delivery systems through standardized protocols. This multi-functionality achieves versatility without requiring the physical delivery module itself to be large or complex.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the nitric oxide delivery apparatus is placed proximate to the patient to minimize nitrogen dioxide formation, then safety is improved, but it obstructs caregivers and other apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the nitric oxide delivery function (placed proximate to the patient in the breathing circuit) from the control and monitoring functions (located away from the patient). This segmentation allows the delivery point to remain close to the patient for safety while the larger control unit can be positioned elsewhere for caregiver accessibility.
3Reliability
If a stand alone nitric oxide delivery unit is used to maintain therapy at one location, then therapy continuity is improved, but it becomes difficult to maintain therapy during patient transport
Solution Approach 1:
The portable delivery module can be physically detached from the stationary control unit. During patient transport, only the compact delivery module needs to be moved with the patient, while the control unit remains stationary. This segmentation enables both therapy continuity and portability during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a fixed stationary configuration during normal therapy to a mobile configuration during transport. The delivery module is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing it to operate independently during transport and connect to the control unit during stationary therapy periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A nitric oxide delivery device is provided that can be formed as a module that is insertable in a mating equipment bay in a gas delivery system found in one location, removed and used in conjunction with a transport gas delivery system when the patient is transported, and thereafter inserted in the equipment bay of a gas delivery system located at a second location. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a housing having an NO supply port, an NO delivery port, a flow sensor port, and a conduit pneumatically connected to the NO supply port and the NO delivery port. A selector valve is positioned in the conduit and selectively moves between a first position wherein the NO supply port is pneumatically connected to the NO delivery port and a second position wherein the NO delivery port is pneumatically connected to a temporary supply of NO. The housing further has a power supply port, a temporary power source and a switch being selectively movable between a first position wherein power is provided to the NO delivery device via the power supply port and a second position wherein power is provided to the device from the temporary power source.