Nitric Oxide Nasal Delivery via Rupturable Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing a product that consistently delivers nitric oxide gas for therapeutic purposes is challenging due to its unstable nature, making it difficult to create a reliable device for nasal or oral administration.
Innovation Solution
A portable, reusable, or disposable system comprising two containers with a nitrite compound and an acidic compound that can be mixed by the user to generate nitric oxide gas, featuring filters and a nozzle for safe delivery through the nasal cavities or mouth, with components like potassium nitrite and hydrochloric acid, and using a rupturable divider and actuator for controlled mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nitric oxide gas is stored directly for delivery, then it can be delivered immediately, but it decomposes or reacts with other substances before delivery due to its instability
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the nitric oxide generation system into separate compartments: a nitrite container and an acid container. These compartments are physically separated by a ruptureable divider during storage, preventing premature reaction. When activated, the divider ruptures and allows mixing, initiating nitric oxide generation only at the intended moment of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The nitrite and acid components are pre-loaded into separate containers during manufacturing, ready for use. The system is prepared in advance with all necessary components separated and stable, awaiting activation by the user who will rupture the divider to initiate mixing and gas generation.
2Productivity
If the nitrite compound and acidic compound are mixed immediately, then nitric oxide gas is generated, but the compounds cannot be stored separately for later controlled use
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static separated state during storage to a dynamic mixed state during use. The ruptureable divider provides a mechanical transition mechanism that converts the stable separated configuration into the reactive mixed configuration when activated by user action (squeezing the device).
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be manually activated by the user through squeezing, which automatically triggers the divider rupture and subsequent mixing of compounds. The user's simple action initiates the entire gas generation process without requiring complex external controls or equipment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If filters are added to remove nitrogen dioxide and prevent mist delivery, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A porous filter element is incorporated into the delivery path to physically block liquid droplets and mist from reaching the user while allowing gas to pass through. The porous structure provides size-based separation, trapping harmful liquid phases while permitting therapeutic gas delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary component between the reaction chamber and the user's nasal cavity. It mediates the gas delivery process by selectively removing harmful contaminants (nitrogen dioxide and mist) while allowing the beneficial nitric oxide gas to reach the user.
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 effectively generates and delivers a controlled dose of nitric oxide gas to the nasal cavity or mouth, ensuring safety by filtering out nitrogen dioxide and preventing mist or liquid from reaching the user, providing therapeutic benefits while maintaining stability and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a nitrite component and an acidic component adapted to generate nitric oxide gas when combined
Implementation Method 2
The gas filter and/or membrane filter is configured to limit nitrogen dioxide gas from passing through the gas filter and/or membrane filter by substantially trapping nitrogen dioxide gas within the reaction zone of the container
Implementation Method 3
The droplet filter and/or vapor filter is configured to limit droplets, vapor, and/or mist from passing through the droplet filter and/or vapor filter by substantially trapping droplets, vapor, and/or mist within the reaction zone of the container
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, products, compounds and methods can be applied and/or used by a person to facilitate and promote the production of nitric oxide to be used by a person for health benefits. The systems, products, and devices include a nitric oxide nasal delivery system. The system can comprise one or more containers for compounds that when mixed are adapted to produce nitric oxide gas, at least one container with a nitrite compound and at least one container with an acid compound. Containers can be ruptured so that the compounds may be mixed and produce nitric oxide gas. The nitric oxide gas may then be delivered to a user via one or more of the nasal cavities and/or mouth.