Nitric Oxide Generation via Electrodes and Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nitric oxide (NO) treatment systems are limited by the volume and concentration of gas tanks, leading to oxygen dilution and requiring supplemental oxygen, which increases complexity and cost, and lack the ability to generate NO on demand at the patient bedside.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising electrodes that generate nitric oxide from a reactant gas, with a controller regulating NO concentration based on patient information, such as methemoglobin levels, to produce a product gas with variable NO concentrations, allowing for on-demand NO generation and delivery without diluting inspired oxygen levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high concentration NO gas (800 ppm) is delivered from tanks, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but oxygen dilution increases and treatment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary amount of NO from the tank and delivers it precisely to the patient, rather than delivering large volumes of high-concentration NO that would cause oxygen dilution. The controller regulates the NO flow rate and concentration to match the minimum effective dose, eliminating the need for supplemental oxygen while maintaining disinfection effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses feedback from patient monitoring (oxygen saturation, respiratory rate) to dynamically adjust the NO delivery parameters. This ensures the lowest effective concentration is used, preventing oxygen dilution while maintaining therapeutic effect, thereby reducing treatment complexity.
2Reliability
If high concentration NO gas (800 ppm) is delivered from tanks, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but oxygen levels decrease requiring supplemental oxygen
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and delivers only the minimum necessary amount of NO to achieve disinfection effectiveness, rather than delivering high volumes that would significantly dilute oxygen. The controller calculates and delivers precise NO dosing based on patient parameters, maintaining oxygen levels without requiring supplemental oxygen.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the NO concentration and flow rate parameters to maintain the lowest effective therapeutic level. By changing these parameters in real-time based on patient response, the system achieves disinfection while minimizing oxygen dilution and avoiding the need for supplemental oxygen.
3Ease of operation
If fixed concentration NO tanks are used, then treatment is simple, but NO must be diluted down to therapeutic levels and tank duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed-concentration tank delivery to dynamic on-demand NO generation. The controller continuously adjusts NO production based on patient needs, allowing the same tank to last much longer by delivering variable concentrations rather than requiring dilution of fixed high-concentration gas.
Solution Approach 2:
The NO generator automatically produces and regulates NO concentration based on patient parameters without requiring manual intervention for dilution or concentration adjustment. The system self-regulates the therapeutic dose, extending tank duration while maintaining treatment simplicity.
4Device complexity
If NO is generated on demand at patient bedside, then oxygen dilution is reduced and treatment complexity decreases, but ability to deliver sufficient NO concentration for disinfection is challenged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical dilution system (large tanks delivering high concentration NO that must be physically diluted) with an electrical/chemical NO generation system using electrodes and reactant gas. This substitution allows precise electronic control of NO concentration, delivering sufficient disinfection levels without oxygen dilution while simplifying the overall treatment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller dynamically adjusts the NO generation parameters (electrode voltage, reactant gas flow) to deliver the precise concentration needed for disinfection. By changing these parameters in real-time, the system ensures sufficient therapeutic effect while avoiding oxygen dilution and reducing treatment complexity.
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
Enables effective and controlled delivery of nitric oxide for infection prevention and treatment, reducing oxygen dilution and treatment complexity, while extending the life of NO-generating equipment and improving patient safety by maintaining optimal oxygen levels.
Implementation Method 1
A system comprising electrodes that generate nitric oxide from a reactant gas
Data Source
AI summary
System and methods for providing nitric oxide can include at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a flow of a reactant gas, and at least one controller configured to regulate an amount of nitric oxide in the product gas generated by the at least one pair of electrodes using one or more parameters as an input to the controller. One or more sensors are configured to collect information relating to at least one of patient information, the reactant gas, the product gas, and an inspiratory gas into which at least a portion of the product gas flows, the sensors configured to communicate the information to the controller to be used as the one or more parameters. The patient information includes information relating to a methemoglobin (MetHg) measurement collected from a MetHg sensor.