Nitric Oxide Administration Device with Segmented Flow Paths
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Nitric oxide (NO) administration devices generate nitrogen dioxide (NO2) due to the reaction of NO with oxygen, which is toxic and poses health risks to patients and others, especially when the oxygen concentration is higher than in air, as in existing devices where the oxygen supply source is upstream.
Innovation Solution
A nitric oxide administration device with separate flow paths for oxygen and NO generation, using an oxygen generation unit to produce concentrated oxygen and an NO generation unit to generate NO, with an NO2 removal agent to minimize NO2 production, and a cannula for mixing NO and oxygen before inhalation, ensuring NO2 is suppressed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If oxygen concentration is increased to enhance therapeutic effect, then vasodilatory effect is improved, but NO2 generation increases causing toxic exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the gas flow into separate pathways: a first flow path for oxygen supply and a second flow path for NO generation. By separating where oxygen is supplied from where NO is generated, the device prevents direct reaction between high-concentration oxygen and generated NO, thereby reducing NO2 formation while maintaining therapeutic oxygen levels
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium in the NO generation pathway. Instead of using pure oxygen for NO generation, air (with lower oxygen concentration) is used as the reaction medium, which reduces the rate and extent of NO2 formation while still enabling sufficient NO production for therapeutic effect
2Reliability
If oxygen supply source is placed upstream to ensure oxygen delivery, then oxygen therapy effectiveness is improved, but NO2 is generated before patient inhalation
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the gas delivery system into distinct flow paths: the first flow path delivers oxygen from the upstream source, while the second flow path generates NO separately. This spatial segmentation ensures that even though oxygen is supplied upstream, it does not come into direct contact with the generated NO, preventing premature NO2 formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the NO generation process from the oxygen supply pathway. By removing NO generation from the main oxygen flow and placing it in a separate second flow path, the device eliminates the harmful interaction between oxygen and NO that occurs in upstream supply configurations, while maintaining both functions independently
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 device effectively reduces NO2 generation and administration, providing a safer nitric oxide therapy by separating oxygen and NO generation and using an NO2 removal agent, thus minimizing toxic exposure for patients and reducing environmental hazards.
Implementation Method 1
an oxygen generation unit which is arranged in the first flow path and which generates concentrated oxygen from air introduced via the first intake port
Implementation Method 2
It is known that NO can stably be generated from oxygen and nitrogen present in air by discharge (such as corona discharge)
Implementation Method 3
an NO2 removal agent arranged upstream of the first flow path or in the vicinity of the first intake port
Data Source
AI summary
A nitric oxide administration device 1 includes a first flow path 101 including a first intake port 101a and an oxygen supply port 101b, an oxygen generation unit 100 which is arranged in the first flow path 101 and which generates concentrated oxygen from air introduced via the first intake port 101a, the generated concentrated oxygen being supplied via the oxygen supply port 101b, a second flow path 201 which is branched from the first flow path 101 and which includes an NO supply port 201b, and an NO generation unit 200 which is arranged in the second flow path 201 and which generates NO from gas distributed from the first flow path 101, the generated NO being supplied via the NO supply port 201b.