Nitric oxide reactor and distributor apparatus and method

• US 9,649,467 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2013
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SYK Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: SYK Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Jones, Christie M., Miller, J. W. Randolph
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Tan-Uyen (Jackie) T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boecker, Joseph D
• Application Number:
  US14/104,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20140216452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 12820014, 12820021, 12820023, 12820125, 12820126, 12820226, 12820312, 12820316, 424718
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 33/00 Medicinal preparations containing inorganic active ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0073 Sprays or powders for inhalation; Aerolised or nebulised preparations generated by other means than thermal energy; nasal sprays A61K9/0043; inhalation of vapours of volatile or heated drugs, e.g. essential oils or nicotine, A61K9/007; devices A61M
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/00 Inhalators drug delivery in endotracheal tubes A61M16/04
• 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 16/106 in a path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/125 Diluting primary gas with ambient air
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0007 introduced into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0275 Nitric oxide [NO]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0283 Nitrous oxide (N2O)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7545 for solid matter, e.g. microaggregates
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4533 for medical purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4541 for portable use, e.g. gas masks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/00 Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols, recovery of volatile solvents by condensation B01D5/00; sublimation B01D7/00; cold traps, cold baffles B01D8/00; working-up undefined gaseous mixtures obtained by cracking hydrocarbon oils C10G70/00; cleaning coal gas C10K; working-up of natural gas, or synthetic natural gas, C10L3/10; separation of difficult-to-condense gases or air by liquefaction F25J; for investigating materials G01N30/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/34 Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
• 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 include an inhaler for delivering nitric oxide into the mouth of a user. The inhaler may contain a reaction chamber monolithic or contiguous with the inhaler for creating the nitric oxide from reactants.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an inhaler configured to deliver nitric oxide to the mouth of a user and having a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is generally tubular and includes a cross-section of the body and allows fluid communication between the first end and the second end;

a reaction chamber connected to the second end of the body of the inhaler such that the second end allows fluid communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber contains at least two reactants capable of producing nitric oxide;

a filter system comprising at least one filter covering the cross-section of the body, enclosed within the body, contacting the reaction chamber, and between the reaction chamber and the first end; and

wherein the filter system further comprises a filter chamber enclosed within the body and the filter chamber contains operational ingredients consisting of calcium hydroxide and silica gel coated with ascorbic acid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter system further comprises at least two filters, each filter covering the cross-section and enclosed within the body, selected from the group consisting of a HEPA filter, a molecular sieve, a sponge, and a glass wool filter.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber further comprises a reactant barrier separating the reactants;

and

a rupturing mechanism for breaking the reactant barrier and allowing the reactants to initiate the production of nitric oxide.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a concentration of nitric oxide delivered from the inhaler to the user is from about one thousand parts per million to about ten thousand parts per million of nitric oxide.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first reactant is a nitrite compound and the second reactant is a moderate acid.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first reactant comprises at least one composition of nitrogen selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrite and sodium nitrite and the second reactant comprises at least two moderate acids selected from the group consisting of citric acid, ascorbic acid, phytic acid, and acetic acid.

7. An apparatus comprising:

an inhaler configured to deliver nitric oxide to the mouth of a user and having a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is generally tubular and includes a cross-section of the body and allows fluid communication between the first end and the second end;

a reaction chamber connected to the second end of the body of the inhaler such that the second end allows fluid communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber contains at least two reactants capable of producing nitric oxide;

a filter chamber enclosed within the body and between the reaction chamber and the first end, wherein the filter chamber contains operational ingredients consisting of calcium hydroxide and silica gel coated with ascorbic acid; and

a filter system comprising at least one filter covering the cross-section of the body, enclosed within the body, and between the reaction chamber and the filter chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the filter system further comprises at least two filters, each filter covering the cross-section and enclosed within the body, selected from the group consisting of a HEPA filter, a molecular sieve, a sponge, and a glass wool filter.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reaction chamber further comprises a reactant barrier separating the reactants;

and

a rupturing mechanism for breaking the reactant barrier and allowing the reactants to initiate the production of nitric oxide.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein a concentration of nitric oxide delivered from the inhaler to the user is from about one thousand parts per million to about ten thousand parts per million of nitric oxide.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first reactant is a nitrite compound and the second reactant is a moderate acid.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first reactant comprises at least one composition of nitrogen selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrite and sodium nitrite and the second reactant comprises at least two moderate acids selected from the group consisting of citric acid, ascorbic acid, phytic acid, and acetic acid.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of dilution apertures proximate the first end.

14. An apparatus comprising:

an inhaler configured to deliver nitric oxide to the mouth of a user and having a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is generally tubular and includes a cross-section of the body and allows fluid communication between the first end and the second end;

a reaction chamber connected to the second end of the body of the inhaler such that the second end allows fluid communication with the reaction chamber, wherein the reaction chamber contains at least two reactants capable of producing nitric oxide;

a filter chamber enclosed within the body that contains calcium hydroxide and silica gel coated with ascorbic acid and is between the reaction chamber and the first end;

a plurality of dilution apertures proximate the first end;

a filter system comprising at least two filters, a first filter and a second filter, each covering the cross-section of the body, enclosed within the body;

the first filter contacting the reaction chamber, and between the reaction chamber and the filter chamber; and

the second filter between the filter chamber and the plurality of dilution apertures.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second filters are selected from the group consisting of a HEPA filter, a molecular sieve, a sponge, and a glass wool filter.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first reactant is a nitrite compound and the second reactant is a moderate acid.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first reactant comprises at least one composition of nitrogen selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrite and sodium nitrite and the second reactant comprises at least two moderate acids selected from the group consisting of citric acid, ascorbic acid, phytic acid, and acetic acid.