Nitric Oxide Nanobubble Delivery in Liquid for Stable Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivering nitric oxide (NO) gas in gaseous form poses challenges due to its reactivity, rapid oxidation, and leakage, especially when stored or diluted with oxygen, leading to concentration errors and complexity in clinical applications.
Innovation Solution
A system for generating and delivering nitric oxide as nanobubbles in a liquid medium using a nanobubble generator, which includes a reservoir, pump, and delivery device, allowing for controlled dosing and stability of NO through a liquid carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nitric oxide is delivered in gaseous form, then it can be administered to patients for therapeutic effects, but it rapidly oxidizes to form harmful nitrogen dioxide and leaks from delivery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an inert liquid carrier (such as saline or lipid solution) as an intermediary medium to deliver nitric oxide. The gas is dissolved or dispersed in the liquid, which protects it from oxidation and prevents leakage. This intermediary approach allows the unstable gas to be transported safely through the delivery system without direct contact with oxygen or system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of nitric oxide from gaseous to dissolved/dispersed state in a liquid medium. By altering the phase and delivery form, the system achieves better stability and control. The liquid carrier maintains the gas in a controlled state, preventing spontaneous oxidation and leakage while enabling precise dosing.
2Reliability
If nitric oxide is diluted with inert gases to achieve lower concentrations, then stability and clinical relevance are improved, but errors in concentration accuracy are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inert liquid carrier serves as a mediator that allows precise delivery of nitric oxide without the need for gas-phase dilution. The concentration of nitric oxide in the liquid solution can be accurately controlled and maintained, eliminating the concentration errors that occur when diluting gases with inert gases. The liquid medium provides a stable matrix for precise dosing.
3Ease of operation
If nitric oxide is stored in cannisters or diluted in systems not completely purged of oxygen, then storage and delivery are simplified, but oxidation to nitrogen dioxide occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid carrier acts as a protective intermediary that isolates nitric oxide from oxygen in the storage and delivery system. Even if the system is not completely purged of oxygen, the nitric oxide dissolved in the liquid does not readily oxidize because it is separated from the gas phase where oxygen would contact it. This simplifies storage and delivery requirements while preventing harmful oxidation.
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 system provides pure NO delivery with precise dose control and conservation, enhancing therapeutic efficacy by enabling NO to penetrate cellular levels and treat medical conditions effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a nanobubble generator in fluid communication with the reservoir and the source of medicinal gas. The nanobubble generator is configured to form a nanobubble solution including nanobubbles of the medicinal gas in the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a pump configured to propel the liquid from the reservoir
Implementation Method 3
A return flow path is configured to deliver the nanobubble solution exiting the nanobubble generator to the liquid reservoir such that the nanobubble solution passes through the nanobubble generator and the reservoir a plurality of times
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for delivering a gas, such as nitric oxide, are provided. In some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for delivering a gas, such as nitric oxide, in the form of nanobubbles and/or a dissolved gas using a liquid medium.