Portable Nitric Oxide Generator Using Electric Plasma Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for administering inhaled nitric oxide therapy are costly and inefficient, requiring bulky gas cylinders, complex delivery systems, and producing harmful byproducts, with a significant waste of nitric oxide due to the need for large bias flow in ventilator systems.
Innovation Solution
A portable nitric oxide generation system that uses electric plasma synthesis to produce nitric oxide directly in the inhalation pathway, coupled to a breathing tube, eliminating the need for bias flow and reducing the size, power consumption, and heat generation, while utilizing a scavenger and particle filter to control byproducts and ensure safe delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bulky gas cylinders and complex delivery systems are used to administer inhaled nitric oxide therapy, then reliable delivery of nitric oxide is achieved, but device size and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the nitric oxide delivery function into separate modular components: a portable generation device that synthesizes nitric oxide on-demand, a breathing tube coupling mechanism, and a scavenger system. This segmentation eliminates the need for bulky gas cylinders and complex centralized delivery infrastructure while maintaining reliable therapeutic delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The generation system synthesizes nitric oxide on-demand directly at the point of care using ambient air and electrical discharge, eliminating the need for pre-stored gas cylinders and complex delivery infrastructure. The system serves itself by generating the therapeutic agent when needed rather than relying on external storage and delivery systems.
2Quantity of substance
If large bias flow is used in ventilator systems to deliver nitric oxide, then adequate gas flow is achieved, but significant waste of nitric oxide occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates electrical discharge periodically or continuously at low power to generate nitric oxide on-demand in the breathing tube, eliminating the need for large bias flows. Nitric oxide is synthesized only when needed in the patient's airway, dramatically reducing waste compared to continuous high-flow delivery systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical approach of using large gas flows to deliver nitric oxide with an electrical approach: electrical discharge between electrodes synthesizes nitric oxide in-situ. This substitution eliminates the need for high-flow mechanical delivery systems and the associated waste.
3Productivity
If electric plasma synthesis is used to produce nitric oxide, then portability and efficiency are improved, but harmful byproducts are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful byproducts generated during electric plasma synthesis into beneficial outcomes: the scavenger captures and neutralizes harmful substances like nitrogen dioxide and ozone, transforming them from risks into controlled elements. The electrical discharge process that generates nitric oxide also produces byproducts that are systematically managed and converted into safe conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The scavenger acts as an intermediary between the electric plasma synthesis process and the patient's airway. It captures and neutralizes harmful byproducts generated during nitric oxide synthesis, allowing efficient production to continue while protecting the patient from exposure to harmful substances.
4Weight of moving object
If portable generation system is used, then device size and power consumption are reduced, but control precision of nitric oxide concentration becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that monitor nitric oxide concentration, oxygen levels, and other parameters in real-time, providing feedback to the control system. This feedback enables precise adjustment of electrical discharge parameters to maintain accurate nitric oxide concentrations despite the portable, miniaturized design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls nitric oxide concentration by adjusting electrical discharge parameters such as voltage, current, frequency, and electrode gap distance. These parameter changes enable precise control of the synthesis process, allowing accurate delivery of therapeutic concentrations from a portable device.
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 a controllable and efficient delivery of nitric oxide directly to the patient, reducing waste and costs, and ensuring safe concentrations of nitric oxide with minimal harmful byproducts, making it suitable for both hospital and outpatient use.
Implementation Method 1
electric plasma synthesis to produce nitric oxide
Implementation Method 2
one or more electric discharges between the electrodes to generate the nitric oxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and method for electric plasma synthesis of nitric oxide. In particular, the present disclosure provides a nitric oxide (NO) generation system configured to produce a controllable output of therapeutic NO gas at the point of care.