NITRIC OXIDE REACTOR AND DISTRIBUTOR APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20100018526A1
• Filed: 01/28/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SYK Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pate Baird PLLC
• Inventors: Jones, Christie M., Miller, Randy J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,434,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.120
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0688 by means of an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0275 Nitric oxide [NO]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/404 Nitrogen oxides other than dinitrogen oxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/22 by diffusion manufacturing semi-permeable membranes B01D67/00; form, structure or properties of semi-permeable membranes B01D69/00; material for semi-permeable membranes B01D71/00
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 21/24 Nitric oxide (NO) C01B21/203 takes precedence

Abstract

A reaction and distribution system may include a distributor securable near or in a path correspond to a breathing passage such as the nostrils or the mouth of a user for delivering nitric oxide therapy thereto. The distributor may contain an internal reactor for creating the nitric oxide from reactants. Alternative embodiments may rely on a line delivering nitric oxide to the distributor from a remote generator such as a cannister carried in a pocket or placed/at the bedside of a user.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a distributor configured to deliver to a breathing opening of a user, a continuing quantity of nitric oxide;

a generator containing a first reactant, a second reactant, a separator between the first and second reactants, and a molecular sieve between the first and second reactants and the distributor; and

a conduit sealed to deliver nitric oxide from the reactor to the distributor for inhalation by a user.

2. A method for nitric oxide therapy comprising providing a distributor securable to the person of a user to position output ports thereof within or near the nostrils of a user for delivering nitric to a user;

providing a source of nitric oxide portable with the user and sized to provide a single therapy session dose of nitric oxide to the distributor;

installing the distributor on the person of a user;

activating the reactants in the reactor to initiate production of nitric oxide;

filtering the nitric oxide through a molecular sieve to separate the nitric oxide from reactants and other species that may result from the reaction; and

delivering from about one thousand parts per million to about ten thousand parts per million of nitric oxide to a breathing stream of a user, diluted to about twenty five percent of said concentration in the actual lungs of the user.