On-Demand Nitric Oxide Generator Using Chemical Reactants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating and delivering nitric oxide (NO) to patients, particularly for treating pulmonary hypertension, face challenges such as bulky and heavy gas cylinders, safety concerns due to hazardous reactants, and difficulties in achieving compact, portable, and safe NO generation systems that provide accurate, controllable, and immediate NO delivery.
Innovation Solution
A system that locally generates NO using a nitrite salt, such as sodium nitrite, and a reductant like ascorbic acid in the presence of water, producing NO in a controlled manner for immediate inhalation, minimizing the formation of toxic nitrogen dioxide and reducing the weight and size of the delivery device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nitric oxide is stored in pressurized gas cylinders for delivery, then the NO can be delivered to patients, but the cylinders become bulky, heavy, and create logistical problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the NO delivery system into two parts: a compact portable generator that produces NO on-demand using chemical reactions, and a delivery mechanism. This eliminates the need for heavy pressurized cylinders while maintaining reliable NO delivery capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pre-prepared chemical reactants (nitrite salt and reductant) that can be stored at room temperature. When needed, these reactants are mixed to generate NO immediately before delivery, eliminating the need for pre-compressed NO cylinders.
2Quantity of substance
If high concentration NO gas is stored in cylinders, then the drug quantity is sufficient, but the packaging weight becomes 9000 times the drug weight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters by generating NO as a low-concentration gas (1-80 ppm) directly at the point of use through chemical reaction, rather than storing high-concentration NO in heavy cylinders. This reduces packaging weight from 9000 times drug weight to minimal packaging.
3Measurement precision
If NO is delivered from cylinders, then the dosage can be controlled, but the time from delivery to patient inhalation must be minimized to prevent NO2 formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent generates NO immediately before delivery by mixing reactants in the presence of the patient's breathable gas, eliminating storage and transport time. The chemical reaction produces NO on-demand, ensuring minimal time between generation and inhalation while maintaining precise dosage control through controlled reactant mixing.
4Productivity
If hazardous reactants are used to generate NO, then the NO production is efficient, but strict control and safety measures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses stable, non-hazardous chemical reactants (nitrite salt and reductant) that can be stored safely at room temperature. These reactants are mixed in controlled amounts to generate NO quickly, then discarded after use. This replaces hazardous compressed gas cylinders with safe, disposable chemical precursors.
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 achieves compact, low-weight, and safe NO generation with low electrical power consumption, enabling precise and controlled NO delivery directly to patients, reducing the formation of NO2 and overcoming the limitations of existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
bringing together controllable quantities of a nitrite salt, preferably sodium nitrite, and a reductant, preferably at least one of ascorbic acid and maleic acid, in the presence of water in the desired quantities to produce the amount of NO required
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system for generating and delivering nitric oxide directly to a patient. A reaction chamber is provided that is located at or in close proximity to the patient and reactants within the reaction chamber react together to produce a predetermined amount of nitric oxide. The reaction is controlled by metering at least one of the reactants into the reaction chamber to generate a predetermined quantity of nitric oxide as required by the patient. The reactants can include a nitrite salt, such as sodium nitrite, and a reductant such as ascorbic acid, maleic acid or a mixture thereof. By generating and delivering the nitric oxide directly to the patient in close proximity thereto, the formation of NO2 is minimized. One or both of the reactants may be in liquid form.