Method and apparatus for nitric oxide generation

• US 8,371,296 B2
• Filed: 05/08/2006
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• 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, Wheeler, David, Rolfe, Jonathan L., Jarvis, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Mayes, Melvin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vaden, Kenneth
• Application Number:
  US11/382,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20070089739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,472 Days
• Field of Search: 423/405
• US Class Current: 128/203.12
• 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. An apparatus for delivering a therapeutic gas including nitric oxide comprising:

a receptacle including a non-electrolytic nitric oxide precursor receiver;

the non-electrolytic nitric oxide precursor receiver including a transport gas inlet and a therapeutic gas outlet; and

the transport gas inlet fluidly communicating from a source of a transport gas to the therapeutic gas outlet through the non-electrolytic nitric oxide precursor receiver,

wherein the transport gas inlet includes a gas distributor in the non-electrolytic nitric oxide precursor receiver.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-electrolytic nitric oxide precursor receiver is configured to receive a non-electrolytic nitric oxide precursor that includes a precursor salt.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a therapeutic gas delivery system fluidly connectable to the therapeutic gas outlet.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the therapeutic gas delivery system includes a therapeutic gas purifier.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the therapeutic gas purifier includes a filter.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the therapeutic gas delivery system includes a mask fluidly connectable to the therapeutic gas outlet.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the mask is connectable to a mammal.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the source of the transport gas includes a gas flow controller.