Nitric Oxide Delivery Startup with Backup Air and NO2 Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nitric oxide delivery systems face challenges in providing a pure, controlled, and accurate delivery of nitric oxide while minimizing the formation and exposure to nitrogen dioxide, which is highly toxic, and ensuring continuous operation without catastrophic failures due to air supply interruptions.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a dual air source with backup pumps, moisture exchangers, and multiple sensors to maintain a stable nitric oxide supply, convert nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide, and monitor for leaks and blockages, using a portable device that can be integrated with nasal cannulas or ventilators, with redundant safety mechanisms to prevent nitrogen dioxide exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If nitric oxide is supplied from a liquid source (N2O4) with internal pumping, then the NO gas can be delivered without requiring high-pressure tanks, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional components like pumps and converters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure tank system with a chemical conversion system. Instead of storing and pressurizing NO gas, the system uses a liquid N2O4 reservoir that is pumped and converted to NO gas through a converter, eliminating the need for high-pressure containment while achieving reliable delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary converter component that transforms N2O4 to NO gas. This intermediary device allows the system to use stable liquid N2O4 for storage and transport, then convert it to the desired NO gas form at the point of use, reducing the need for complex high-pressure storage systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single air source is used for delivering NO gas to the patient, then the system is simpler, but the system is vulnerable to catastrophic failure if the air source fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidoperation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a backup air source that is activated beforehand in case of primary air source failure. This redundant system ensures continuous operation and prevents catastrophic treatment interruption, addressing the reliability concern while maintaining relative system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of air source configuration from single to dual-source with backup capability. This parameter change enhances system reliability by ensuring continuous operation during maintenance or failure events without significantly complicating the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If nitric oxide is stored in compressed gas tanks diluted in nitrogen, then the NO can be delivered directly without conversion, but the system risks oxidation to toxic nitrogen dioxide if oxygen contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery simplicityVSAvoidtoxic NO2 formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses nitrogen as a diluent gas for the compressed NO storage, creating an inert atmosphere that prevents oxidation of NO to toxic NO2. This approach maintains delivery simplicity while eliminating the harmful oxidation risk associated with oxygen-containing environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of oxygen contamination (which causes toxic NO2 formation) into a benefit by using nitrogen dilution. The inert nitrogen atmosphere not only prevents oxidation but also provides a safe delivery medium that reduces the risk of toxic byproduct formation during administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Quantity of substance

If high concentrations of NO are used to treat infections, then the antimicrobial effect is enhanced, but the risk of forming toxic nitrogen dioxide increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNO concentrationVSAvoidNO2 toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains high concentrations of therapeutic NO while using nitrogen as an inert diluent atmosphere. This inert environment prevents the oxidation of high-concentration NO to toxic NO2, allowing enhanced antimicrobial effects to be achieved safely without increasing the risk of toxic byproduct formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 ensures a safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of nitric oxide by reducing nitrogen dioxide impurities to ambient levels and maintaining operation through backup systems, providing continuous therapy even in the event of failures.

Implementation Method 1

a first air pump configured to deliver air or oxygen enriched air to a patient through an output line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas delivery:

Implementation Method 2

a second air pump as a backup to the first air pump, the second air pump configured to deliver air or oxygen enriched air to a patient through the output line

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas delivery: