Nitric oxide delivery system

• US 8,221,800 B2
• Filed: 04/07/2006
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vero Biotech LLC
• Original Assignee: GENO LLC
• Inventors: Fine, David H., MacDonald, Stephen J., Rounbehler, David R., Wheeler, David, Rolfe, Jonathan L., Jarvis, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayes, Melvin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vaden, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US11/279,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20060172018A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,293 Days
• Field of Search: 423/405
• US Class Current: 424/718
• 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 kit comprising a solution of a nitric oxide precursor that includes a precursor salt, a cathode and an anode disposed within the solution and instructional material describing a method of generating a therapeutic gas wherein the method includes applying a voltage across the cathode and anode to generate the therapeutic gas and transporting the therapeutic gas, the therapeutic gas comprising nitric oxide and being substantially devoid of nitrogen dioxide.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the precursor salt includes a nitrite salt.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the precursor salt includes a nitrite salt selected from a group consisting of potassium nitrite, sodium nitrite, rubidium nitrite, strontium nitrite, barium nitrite, calcium nitrite, copper nitrite and zinc nitrite.

4. The kit of claim 3 wherein the nitrite salt includes sodium nitrite.

5. The kit of claim 1 wherein generating the therapeutic gas includes releasing nitric oxide from the precursor over a period of time from one hour to seven days.

6. The kit of claim 5 wherein generating the therapeutic gas includes releasing nitric oxide from the precursor over a period of time from two hours to 24 hours.

7. The kit of claim 1 wherein generating the therapeutic gas includes releasing nitric oxide for at least one hour.