Photolytic Nitric Oxide Delivery for Portable Inhalation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nitric oxide delivery systems rely on compressed gas cylinders, which are bulky and costly, and lack precise control over NO and NO2 levels, posing challenges for portable and controlled inhalation therapy applications.

Innovation Solution

A gas delivery device that generates nitric oxide photolytically on demand using a solid, light-sensitive nitric oxide donor, allowing precise control of NO release through pulse length and intensity, and includes a feedback system to maintain low NO2 levels, eliminating the need for gas tanks and enabling portable or hospital-specific configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If compressed gas cylinders are used for nitric oxide delivery, then reliable NO supply is achieved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNO supply reliabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the nitric oxide storage function from external compressed gas cylinders and integrates it into a solid-state photolytic donor material that can be incorporated directly into the device housing, eliminating bulky external tanks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical compression and storage system with a photolytic chemical system where solid-state donor materials release NO upon light irradiation, eliminating the need for compressed gas infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If compressed gas cylinders are used for nitric oxide delivery, then reliable NO supply is achieved, but device cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNO supply reliabilityVSAvoiddevice cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable solid-state photolytic donor cartridges that are inexpensive to manufacture and replace, eliminating the need for expensive compressed gas cylinder infrastructure and refilling systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes complex mechanical gas storage and delivery systems with simpler photolytic chemical systems that are cheaper to manufacture and operate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If conventional gas delivery systems are used, then NO delivery is achieved, but precise control over NO and NO2 levels is lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNO delivery capabilityVSAvoidNO and NO2 level control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback control mechanisms with sensors that monitor NO and NO2 levels in real-time and adjust the photolytic donor irradiation or carrier gas flow accordingly to maintain precise concentration control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of NO release rates through controllable light irradiation parameters or carrier gas flow rates, allowing real-time modulation of NO and NO2 concentrations to meet varying therapeutic requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If gas tanks are used for nitric oxide storage, then sufficient NO supply is achieved, but portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveNO storage capacityVSAvoiddevice portability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heavy metal or composite gas tank component entirely from the system, replacing it with lightweight solid-state photolytic donor materials that can be directly integrated into the device housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical gas storage system with a chemical photolytic system that generates NO on-demand from solid-state materials, eliminating the weight and bulk of gas tanks while maintaining sufficient supply capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 precise control over NO concentration (100 ppbv to 100 ppmv) with minimal NO2 levels (<1 ppmv), simplifying device design, reducing costs, and enhancing portability for inhalation therapy applications.

Implementation Method 1

generates nitric oxide photolytically on demand using a solid, light-sensitive nitric oxide donor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotolysis: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentUS20260027321A1Gas delivery devices

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 THE RGT UNIV OF MICHIGAN

AI summary

Gas delivery devices include different examples of nitric oxide (NO) generating systems. Each example of the NO generating system includes a solid, light sensitive NO donor, and a light source that is operatively positioned to selectively expose the solid, light sensitive NO donor to light in order to generate NO gas.