Plasma-Generated NO Gas Stream for Tissue Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering nitric oxide (NO) for therapeutic purposes face challenges due to its high reactivity, low diffusion coefficient, short lifetime in tissue media, and lack of site-specificity, leading to limited clinical effectiveness and potential pharmacological side effects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a plasma arc discharge device to generate a stream of gases rich in NO, combined with H2O2, O2, and UV radiation, which is applied synergistically to a treatment site to enhance penetration and therapeutic benefits, including antimicrobial and tissue-regeneration effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If gaseous NO is administered for therapeutic purposes, then NO delivery to the body is achieved, but penetration through the dermis is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms NO from gaseous state to plasma state, fundamentally changing its physical parameters. Plasma-generated NO exhibits enhanced penetration capability through the dermis compared to gaseous NO, directly resolving the contradiction between delivery quantity and penetration speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces plasma as an intermediary medium to deliver NO. The plasma stream acts as a carrier that enables NO to penetrate the dermis effectively, solving the penetration problem while maintaining therapeutic NO delivery
2Speed
If high-pressure NO gas is forced through tissue and skin, then penetration is improved, but tissue damage and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of NO from high-pressure gas to plasma, allowing effective penetration without requiring high pressure. This resolves the contradiction by achieving fast penetration through plasma's inherent properties rather than mechanical force
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of forcing high-pressure gas through tissue with a plasma-based approach. The plasma stream naturally penetrates the dermis without requiring high pressure, eliminating mechanical tissue damage while maintaining penetration speed
3Quantity of substance
If molecular donors are used to deliver NO, then therapeutic effect is achieved, but control of release and penetration modulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma-generated NO stream inherently possesses the capability to penetrate and deliver therapeutic doses without requiring external control mechanisms. The plasma process itself self-regulates the delivery, maintaining both therapeutic effect and operational control
Solution Approach 2:
By generating NO in plasma state rather than using molecular donors, the system gains direct control over NO production and delivery parameters. The plasma generation process allows modulation of NO concentration and delivery rate, resolving the control limitation
4Quantity of substance
If pharmacological agents affecting NO pathways are used, then specific clinical outcomes are achieved, but site-specificity is reduced and side effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plasma-generated NO stream provides localized delivery directly to the treatment site, creating a local concentration gradient. This local quality ensures therapeutic effect at the target while minimizing systemic distribution and associated side effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pharmacological chemical agents with physical plasma-generated NO delivery. This substitution achieves site-specific therapy through physical means, avoiding the systemic pharmacological side effects while maintaining clinical effectiveness
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 NO-containing plasma stream effectively penetrates tissues, exhibits enhanced antimicrobial and regenerative properties, and minimizes damage to mammalian cells, providing better selectivity in killing bacteria and promoting tissue repair compared to pure NO gas administration.
Implementation Method 1
employing the exogenous production and application of NO together with other components present in the plasma-generated stream of gases by high-temperature plasma conversion of air
Implementation Method 2
A method involving the use of a plasma arc discharge device to generate a stream of gases rich in NO
Implementation Method 3
the NO together with other components present in the plasma-generated stream of gases is applied to a treatment site
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for administering nitric oxide (NO) generated by a plasma source via stream of gas also containing a number of other chemical and physical components that create synergistic effect in treatment of a variety of medical conditions. A stream of gas is generated by a plasma source/sources, in which nitric oxide is a part of its content and in desired concentration and at the appropriate speed, so that therapeutically significant amount of NO is delivered per unit of treated tissue area and per unit of time. The stream also contains other physical and chemical compounds such as H2O2, OH, O2, O2− (i.e., oxygen superoxide), heating and UV radiation. The stream of gas generated by plasma source(s) must be precisely directed to the site of action to achieve the best therapeutic result.