Portable Nitric Oxide Generation and Delivery Without Large Cylinders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy is complex, expensive, and limited to intensive care units due to the need for large NO storage cylinders and monitoring devices, making it inaccessible to broader patient populations.
Innovation Solution
A portable NO generating and delivery system that includes a reaction vessel with a headspace for NO accumulation, a NO storage system, and a gas mixing chamber, allowing on-demand generation and mixing of NO with a carrier gas, eliminating the need for large storage vessels and additional purification steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large NO storage cylinders and complex monitoring devices are used, then NO delivery reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by generating and storing NO in a compact storage system before delivery, rather than requiring large storage cylinders. The NO is generated on-demand and stored in a small volume system, eliminating the need for complex monitoring and large storage infrastructure while maintaining delivery reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of NO delivery from the complex hospital-based system and creates a simplified portable version. By removing unnecessary components and focusing on the core NO generation and delivery function, the system achieves reliability without the associated complexity and cost of traditional hospital-based systems.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If large storage vessels are used, then NO supply duration is improved, but device portability and accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameters of NO storage by using a compact storage system that maintains adequate supply duration through efficient storage and on-demand generation, rather than relying on large vessel volume. This enables portability while maintaining sufficient NO supply for therapeutic duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary NO generation and storage in a compact format, allowing the device to be portable while still providing adequate NO supply duration. The preliminary action of generating and storing NO in a small volume enables both portability and sustained supply.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex purification steps are implemented, then NO purity is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potential harm of NO oxidation to NO2 by using it as a built-in purification mechanism. The NO2 formed is water-soluble and is removed through a simple water trap, transforming a harmful side reaction into a beneficial purification step that simplifies the overall system rather than requiring complex purification equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-purification by utilizing the natural water solubility of NO2 to remove it from the gas stream through a simple water trap. This self-service purification mechanism eliminates the need for complex external purification equipment while maintaining high NO purity.
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 the generation of pure, controlled, and sustained levels of NO for inhalation therapy, making it accessible to a wider population, including ambulatory patients, and reducing costs by eliminating the need for large storage vessels and purification steps.
Implementation Method 1
reacting a nitrite and an electron donor compound in an aqueous solution. The reaction can be performed under anaerobic conditions at a pH of about 3 to 3.5
Implementation Method 2
The NO gas generated in the reaction vessel can be delivered to the NO storage system via pressure generated by generation of the NO gas
Implementation Method 3
the NO gas can be mixed with a carrier gas in the gas mixing chamber
Implementation Method 4
The gas mixing chamber can include a valve, a nozzle, a carrier gas inlet, and an outlet for a breathing tube, where the valve and nozzle control a flow rate of NO to the gas mixing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided herein are NO generating systems, methods for generating NO for inhaled therapy, and methods of treating patients in need of inhaled NO. The systems can include a reaction vessel having a headspace for NO accumulation, a NO storage system, and a gas mixing chamber. NO gas generated in the reaction vessel can be delivered to the NO storage system via pressure generated by generation of the NO gas, then the NO gas is mixed with a carrier gas in a gas mixing chamber. NO can be generated at the point of patient delivery.