Controlled generation of nitric oxide

• US 8,066,904 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2002
• Issued: 11/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vero Biotech LLC
• Original Assignee: GENO LLC
• Inventors: Wheeler, David, MacDonald, Stephen J., Rolfe, Jonathan L., Rounbehler, David, Fine, David H., Jarvis, George
• Primary Examiner(s): ANTHONY, JOSEPH DAVID
• Application Number:
  US10/228,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20030064028A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,380 Days
• Field of Search: 252/186.44
• US Class Current: 252/186.44
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/00 Medicinal preparations containing inorganic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/24 Heavy metals; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/30 Zinc; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/34 Copper; Compounds thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/007 Pulmonary tract; Aromatherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/2031 obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, poloxamers
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/205 Polysaccharides, e.g. alginate, gums; Cyclodextrin
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/7007 Drug-containing films, membranes or sheets A61K9/0041, A61K9/0043, A61K9/006, A61K9/0063 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/10 Preparation of respiratory gases or vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/12 by mixing different gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/1035 the anaesthetic agent concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0275 Nitric oxide [NO]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 21/24 Nitric oxide (NO) C01B21/203 takes precedence

Abstract

Inhalation of low levels of nitric oxide can rapidly and safely decrease pulmonary hypertension in mammals. Precise delivery of nitric oxide at therapeutic levels of 20 to 100 ppm and inhibition of reaction of nitric oxide with oxygen to form toxic impurities such as nitrogen dioxide can provide effective inhalation therapy for pulmonary hypertension.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a unitary structure for delivering nitric oxide comprising:

combining a matrix, a nitric oxide releasing agent, and a plurality of nitric oxide precursor particles to form a mixture;

shaping the mixture to form a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure is a stacked monolith that includes at least two columns; and

drying the mixture.

2. A process for preparing a formulation for delivering nitric oxide comprising:

combining a plurality of the nitric oxide precursor particles and a nitric oxide releasing agent within a hydrophilic matrix to form a mixture;

shaping the mixture to form a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure is a stacked monolith that includes at least two cylinders; and

drying the mixture.

3. The process of claim 2 wherein the hydrophilic matrix is a polysaccharide.

4. The process of claim 2 wherein the hydrophilic matrix includes a polymer selected from a group consisting of guar gum, gum arabic, gum karaya, gum ghatti, locust bean gum, tamarind gum, agar, agarose, carageenan gum, pectin and gluten.

5. A method of manufacturing a unitary structure for delivering nitric oxide comprising:

combining a nitric oxide releasing agent and a plurality of nitric oxide precursor particles with a polymer solution to form a mixture, cross-linking the polymer, shaping the mixture to form a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure is a stacked monolith that includes at least two cylinders.

6. A process for preparing a formulation for delivering nitric oxide comprising:

combining a plurality of the nitric oxide precursor particles and a nitric oxide releasing agent with a hydrophilic-polymer solution to form a mixture, cross-linking the polymer, shaping the mixture to form a unitary structure, wherein the unitary structure is a stacked monolith that includes at least two cylinders.