Plasma Nitric Oxide Generation With Duty Cycle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for generating and delivering nitric oxide (NO) for medical applications face challenges such as the need for large gas tanks, handling of toxic chemicals, difficult calibration processes, and issues with NO conversion to NO2 during pauses in treatment.
Innovation Solution
A nitric oxide generation system that includes a controller and a disposable cartridge, capable of generating NO for multiple treatments without the need for calibration gases. The system uses electrodes to produce NO from a reactant gas, with the controller regulating NO production by varying plasma pulse duty cycles and current over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tank-based systems are used to store and deliver NO gas, then a stable supply of high concentration NO is provided, but large tanks are required and the system requires purging with NO when treatment is resumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable cartridges containing NO gas that are replaced rather than refilled. Each cartridge provides a finite supply of NO (e.g., 48 hours at specific flow rates) and is then discarded, eliminating the need for large reusable tanks and complex purging procedures. The cartridge design integrates both storage and delivery functions in a compact, single-use unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the NO supply into separate, replaceable cartridge units rather than using a single large tank. This segmentation allows the main system to remain compact while providing reliable NO supply through modular cartridge replacement, solving both the tank size and reliability contradictions.
2Productivity
If NO is synthesized from NO2 or N2O4, then NO can be generated on-demand, but toxic chemicals must be handled
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pre-filled disposable cartridges containing NO or its precursors that are safely sealed until use. This eliminates the need for on-site synthesis from toxic chemicals while maintaining on-demand generation capability. The cartridges are designed for safe handling and disposal, removing toxicity concerns from the operational environment.
3Measurement precision
If manual calibration with high pressure gas canisters is performed, then sensor calibration is achieved, but the process requires significant respiratory therapist time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic self-calibration using internal reference gases and sensors, eliminating the need for manual calibration by respiratory therapists. The controller automatically adjusts sensor readings based on known reference concentrations from integrated calibration cartridges, reducing calibration time from 15+ minutes to a automated process that requires minimal user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system is integrated into the main device, allowing the same unit to both generate NO for treatment and perform its own calibration without requiring separate external equipment or extensive manual procedures.
4Productivity
If the system flows continuously, then NO is delivered to patients, but NO in the manual circuit stalls and converts into NO2 requiring purging
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous flow through the circuit even during pauses in patient treatment, preventing NO from stalling and converting to NO2. The flow controller ensures that gas continues to move through the manual circuit, eliminating the harmful conversion while maintaining productivity during treatment interruptions.
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 a more efficient and user-friendly method for generating and delivering NO, reducing the need for large gas supplies and toxic chemicals, and allowing for precise control of NO production to maintain consistent concentrations during treatment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing NO from a flow of a reactant gas
Implementation Method 2
at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing NO from a flow of a reactant gas
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for generating nitric oxide are disclosed. A nitric oxide (NO) generation system includes at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing NO from a flow of a reactant gas; and a controller configured to regulate the amount of nitric oxide in the product gas produced by the at least one pair of electrodes by utilizing duty cycle values of plasma pulses selected from a plurality of discrete duty cycles to produce a target rate of NO production based on an average of discrete production rates associated with each of the plurality of discrete duty cycles.