Nitric Oxide Gas Mixture Delivery System for Toxic Byproduct Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering nitric oxide (NO) in medical settings often result in the formation of toxic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) due to oxidation with oxygen, which can cause oxidative stress and tissue damage, and there is a need for precise modulation of oxygen saturation levels in patients requiring supplemental oxygen.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a receptacle that mixes oxygen with a nitric oxide-releasing agent, using a reducing agent to generate NO while minimizing NO2 formation, and adjusting oxygen doses in real-time based on measured oxygen saturation levels to deliver a gas mixture containing NO, which includes using hydrogen to eliminate peroxynitrite and reduce adverse effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nitric oxide is delivered in bottled gaseous form diluted in nitrogen gas, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but trace amounts of oxygen can cause oxidation to toxic nitrogen dioxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes oxygen from the gas mixture by using nitrogen as the diluent gas instead of air or oxygen-containing mixtures. This extraction of the harmful component (oxygen) prevents the oxidation reaction that would form toxic NO2, directly resolving the safety contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert atmosphere by diluting nitric oxide in nitrogen gas, which is chemically inert and does not react with NO to form NO2. This inert environment prevents the harmful oxidation reaction while maintaining therapeutic NO delivery.
2Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of oxygen are administered to treat hypoxia, then oxygen deficiency is corrected, but oxidative stress and tissue damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces nitric oxide as an intermediary substance that improves oxygen utilization at the cellular level. Instead of simply increasing oxygen concentration (which causes oxidative stress), NO acts as a mediator to enhance oxygen delivery efficiency and reduce the need for high oxygen concentrations, thereby preventing oxidative damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the therapeutic parameter from oxygen concentration to nitric oxide concentration. By administering NO instead of high concentrations of oxygen, the system achieves improved oxygenation while avoiding the harmful effects of hyperoxia and oxidative stress.
3Ease of operation
If nitric oxide is mixed with oxygen in a receptacle, then gas delivery is simplified, but oxidation to nitrogen dioxide occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts oxygen from the gas mixture and replaces it with nitrogen as the diluent gas. This allows for simplified gas mixing in the receptacle while eliminating the oxidation reaction that would otherwise occur between NO and O2, preventing NO2 formation.
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
This approach effectively reduces oxidative stress, minimizes the risk of NO2 toxicity, and allows for precise modulation of oxygen saturation levels, thereby reducing inflammation and oxidative damage while providing therapeutic benefits of NO without the harmful side effects of NO2.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the nitric oxide-releasing agent in the gas mixture with the reducing agent to generate nitric oxide
Implementation Method 2
using hydrogen to eliminate peroxynitrite and reduce adverse effects
Implementation Method 3
NO can cause smooth muscles in blood vessels to relax, thereby resulting in vasodilation and increased blood flow through the blood vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A method of modulating oxygen saturation levels can include measuring oxygen saturation levels in a patient, administering inhaled nitric oxide, adjusting the dose of oxygen in real time to a second dose based on the inhaled nitric oxide.