Nitric oxide generation, dilution, and topical application apparatus and method

• US 9,302,238 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2014
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GeNOsys, Inc., SYK Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: SYK Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Miller, J. W. Randolph, Miller, John J., Fairbanks, Stephen H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wax, Robert A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tcherkasskaya, Olga V
• Application Number:
  US14/194,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20140314880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/00 Medicinal preparations containing inorganic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0014 Skin, i.e. galenical aspects of topical compositions non-active ingredients are additionally classified in A61K47/00; A61K9/0009, A61K9/0021, A61K9/7015, A61K9/7023 take precedence; cosmetic preparations A61K8/00, A61Q; preparations for wound dressings or bandages A61L26/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/0005 for pharmaceuticals, biologicals or living parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/20 Gaseous substances, e.g. vapours
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 25/04 Centrally acting analgesics, e.g. opioids
• CPC Class Codes: A61P 31/00 Antiinfectives, i.e. antibiotics, antiseptics, chemotherapeutics
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 7/00 Apparatus for generating gases production of inert gas mixtures B01J19/14; for generating specific gases, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. C01B, C10J ; in "air bags" on vehicles B60R21/26; for starter gas F02C7/26; blasting cartridges for producing gas under pressure F42B3/04
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 21/24 Nitric oxide (NO) C01B21/203 takes precedence

Abstract

An apparatus for controlled delivery of nitric oxide. A pump draws air through an activated carbon filter and into a reaction chamber. The generation of nitric oxide occurs in the reaction chamber. A second pump draws the gas in the reaction chamber through a calcium hydroxide filter and delivers the nitric oxide through an orifice, or aperture, that controls the flow of nitric oxide delivered. The nitric oxide is filtered through a calcium hydroxide filter just prior to being made available for various nitric oxide therapies. Topical applications that provide a nitric oxide therapy to a surface are also provided.

Claims

1. A method of generating nitric oxide, the method comprising:

pumping a filtered gas into a reaction chamber, wherein the filtered gas is ambient air that has been filtered to remove oxygen and moisture;

providing a mixture of reactants in a solid form comprising at a mixture of a calcined chromium oxide compound in combination with, a nitrite compound and a nitrate compound in the reaction chamber;

activating the reactants to initiate a reaction generating a nitric oxide gas without the use of a liquid or a solution;

evacuating the nitric oxide gas away from the reaction chamber in a closed conduit to inhibit further heating thereof and to resist further reaction of the nitric oxide gas;

filtering the nitric oxide gas after the reaction; and

delivering the nitric oxide at substantially ambient conditions to a user to provide a therapeutically safe concentration of nitric oxide.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reactants are activated by use of a heating element connected to the reaction chamber.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

cooling the nitric oxide gas after it is evacuated from the reaction chamber.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

analyzing the concentration of the nitric oxide gas being delivered to the user; and

adjusting the concentration of the nitric oxide gas being delivered to the user via an automated feedback loop to maintain a desired concentration.

5. A method for producing nitric oxide gas comprising:

pumping a filtered gas into a reaction chamber, wherein the filtered gas is ambient air that has been filtered to remove oxygen and moisture;

providing a granulated mixture of reactants, wherein the granulated mixture comprises effective amounts of calcined chromium oxide, a nitrite compound, and a nitrate compound and the granulated mixture is capable of passing through a five micron screen and capable of producing a nitric oxide gas in the reaction chamber, wherein the granulated mixture of reactants are activated by use of a heating element connected to the reaction chamber;

activating the reactants and generating the nitric oxide gas;

evacuating the nitric oxide gas away from the reaction chamber in a closed conduit to inhibit further heating thereof and to resist further reaction of the nitric oxide gas; and

delivering the nitric oxide at substantially ambient conditions to a user to provide a therapeutically safe concentration of nitric oxide.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

cooling the nitric oxide gas after it is evacuated from the reaction chamber.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

filtering the nitric oxide gas after it is evacuated from the reaction chamber.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

analyzing the concentration of the nitric oxide gas being delivered to the user; and

adjusting the concentration of the nitric oxide gas being delivered to the user via an automated feedback loop to maintain a desired concentration.

9. A method for producing nitric oxide gas comprising:

pumping a filtered gas into a reaction chamber;

providing a mixture of at least three reactants in the reaction chamber, wherein the mixture is in a solid form and comprises at least a calcined chromium oxide compound, a nitrite compound, and a nitrate compound;

activating the reactants and generating a nitric oxide gas;

evacuating the nitric oxide gas away from the reaction chamber in a closed conduit to inhibit further heating thereof and to resist further reaction of the nitric oxide gas;

cooling the nitric oxide gas;

filtering the nitric oxide gas;

analyzing the concentration of the nitric oxide gas;

adjusting the concentration of the nitric oxide gas; and

delivering the nitric oxide at substantially ambient conditions and at the adjusted concentration to a user.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the reactants are activated by use of a heating element connected to the reaction chamber.