Plasma Nitric Oxide Generation With Closed-Loop Concentration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating nitric oxide (NO) lack efficient control mechanisms to regulate its concentration and delivery, particularly in medical applications, leading to inconsistent and potentially harmful levels in ventilation and medical devices.
Innovation Solution
A nitric oxide generation system utilizing plasma chambers, controllers, and flow dividers to ionize reactant gas, regulate NO concentration, and divide the product gas flow into variable and constant streams for precise patient delivery, with sensors for closed-loop control and optional scrubbing of excess NO and NO2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing systems generate nitric oxide without efficient control mechanisms, then nitric oxide production is achieved, but concentration regulation is inconsistent and potentially harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor nitric oxide concentration and provide feedback to the controller, which adjusts plasma generation parameters in real-time to maintain target concentration levels, ensuring consistent and safe NO delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The controller regulates nitric oxide concentration by dynamically adjusting plasma generation parameters such as power input and gas flow rates based on sensor feedback, enabling precise concentration control without manual intervention
2Manufacturing precision
If product gas flow is divided into variable and constant streams, then precise patient delivery is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The product gas flow is segmented into multiple streams using a flow divider - a constant flow portion for baseline delivery and a variable flow portion for responsive adjustment - allowing precise control of nitric oxide delivery to match patient respiratory patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The flow divider system dynamically balances constant and variable flow components, with the variable portion responding to real-time sensor data and patient needs, while the constant portion provides stable baseline delivery, optimizing both precision and system manageability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If excess nitric oxide is scrubbed and released to environment, then safe concentrations are maintained, but loss of substance occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The scrubber system captures excess nitric oxide that would otherwise be harmful, converts it through chemical reaction, and releases safe byproducts to the environment, transforming a potentially dangerous waste stream into a benign output while preventing patient exposure to harmful concentrations
4Measurement precision
If closed-loop control with sensors is implemented, then nitric oxide concentration is precisely regulated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors continuously measure nitric oxide concentration in the product gas and provide real-time feedback to the controller, which automatically adjusts plasma generation parameters to maintain target concentrations, enabling precise regulation through automated closed-loop control
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-regulation by using sensor measurements to automatically adjust plasma generation parameters, eliminating the need for manual monitoring and adjustment while maintaining precise concentration control through autonomous feedback mechanisms
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
Enables precise regulation and delivery of nitric oxide, ensuring consistent and safe concentrations for medical applications, enhancing the efficacy of ventilation and medical devices by minimizing waste and optimizing NO utilization.
Implementation Method 1
one or more plasma chambers configured to ionize a reactant gas to generate a plasma for producing a product gas containing nitric oxide (NO)
Data Source
AI summary
Architectures for production of nitric oxide (NO) include systems and methods for generating NO having one or more plasma chambers configured to ionize a reactant gas to generate a plasma for producing a product gas containing NO using a flow of the reactant gas through one or more plasma chambers; a controller configured to regulate the amount of nitric oxide in the product gas using one or more parameters as an input to the controller, one or more parameters including information from a plurality of sensors configured to collect information relating to at least one of the reactant gas, the product gas, and a medical gas into which product gas flows; and a flow divider configured to divide a product gas flow from the plasma chamber into a first product gas flow to provide a variable flow to a patient inspiratory flow and a second product gas flow.