Nitric Oxide Delivery Device With Integrated Verification Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas delivery devices for medical therapy lack integration with other components, leading to potential errors in gas type and concentration verification, and difficulties in tracking individual patient usage, resulting in inefficiencies and possible overbilling.
Innovation Solution
A gas delivery device with a valve and circuit that includes a memory, processor, and transceiver, communicating with a control module to ensure accurate gas delivery, verify patient information, and track usage, using wireless optical line-of-sight signals or wired connections, and incorporating a timer and alarm system to prevent delivery of expired or incorrect gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a computerized system is added to track patient information and verify gas therapy parameters, then patient safety and accuracy of gas delivery are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the computerized verification system, valve control mechanism, and patient monitoring components into an integrated gas delivery device. The control module communicates with the valve assembly through wired or wireless connections, merging multiple functions (gas delivery, verification, monitoring) into a single unified system that improves reliability without requiring separate standalone components.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas delivery device is designed with multi-functional capabilities: it delivers therapy gas, verifies gas type and concentration through integrated sensors, tracks patient usage data, and provides real-time monitoring. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate systems, improving accuracy while managing complexity.
2Ease of operation
If manual setup and connections are required for gas delivery devices, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to repeated manual configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates pre-programmed patient profiles and therapy parameters stored in memory before clinical use. When a patient is connected, the system automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate settings without requiring manual configuration. Gas source identification is also performed automatically through integrated verification systems, eliminating the need for repeated manual setup and reducing operational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If individual patient usage tracking is implemented, then billing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional monitoring components
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates real-time feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor and record patient usage data, including gas consumption volume, therapy duration, and delivery parameters. This data is automatically stored in memory and can be retrieved for billing purposes. The feedback system integrates seamlessly with the existing control module, using the same sensors and processors already required for therapy delivery, thereby minimizing additional complexity while achieving precise usage tracking.
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
Ensures accurate and efficient delivery of therapy gases by verifying gas type and concentration, reducing errors and overbilling, while simplifying setup and improving patient safety and treatment efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver to send wireless optical line-of-sight signals to communicate information stored or retained within the memory to the control module
Data Source
AI summary
A nitric oxide delivery device including a valve assembly, a control module and a gas delivery mechanism is described. An exemplary gas delivery device includes a valve assembly with a valve and circuit including a memory, a processor and a transceiver in communication with the memory. The memory may include gas data such as gas identification, gas expiration and gas concentration. The transceiver on the circuit of the valve assembly may send wireless optical line-of-sight signals to communicate the gas data to a control module. Exemplary gas delivery mechanisms include a ventilator and a breathing circuit. Methods of administering gases containing nitric oxide are also described.