Systems and methods for nitric oxide generation with humidity control
Inventors
Kondiboyina, Vineel • Miles, Christopher • HALL, Gregory W. • Kozin, Simon E. • Scholz, Wolfgang • Heirtzler, Frank
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11691879-B2
Publication Date
2023-07-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, methods and devices for nitric oxide generation are provided for use with various ventilation and/or medical devices and having a humidity control system associated therewith. In some embodiments, a system for generating nitric oxide comprises at least one pair of electrodes configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a reactant gas, a scrubber configured to remove nitric dioxide NO2 from the product gas, and a humidity control device configured to alter a water content of at least one of the reactant gas and the product gas to control humidity within the system.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to systems for generating nitric oxide by using at least one plasma generator configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a reactant gas. A controller regulates the amount of nitric oxide in the product gas by using one or more parameters as an input to the controller, and the system includes a scrubber configured to remove nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from the product gas.
The invention addresses humidity within the nitric oxide generation system by using a humidity control device configured to alter a water content of the reactant gas and/or the product gas to control humidity within the system. One or more humidity sensors communicate humidity information with the controller so the controller can use humidity information as a parameter, including to achieve a target nitric oxide production level.
The humidity control device and humidity management concepts are aimed at preventing condensation and protecting components such as sensors and scrubbers. Implementations described include humidity compensation versus humidity management, and approaches such as draining condensed water, water separators, thermoelectric (Peltier) devices, selective humidity exchange membrane tubing, and recirculation architectures.
Claims Coverage
The document provides three independent claims. Across the independent claims, inventive coverage centers on plasma-based nitric oxide generation with NO2 scrubbing and humidity-controlled regulation using humidity sensors and humidity-altering devices.
Plasma-generated nitric oxide product gas
At least one plasma generator configured to generate a product gas containing nitric oxide from a reactant gas.
Controller-regulated nitric oxide using input parameters
At least one controller configured to regulate the amount of nitric oxide in the product gas using one or more parameters as an input to the at least one controller, wherein the one or more parameters relate to at least one of the reactant gas, the product gas, and an inspiratory gas into which at least a portion of the product gas flows.
NO2 scrubbing of the product gas
A scrubber configured to remove nitrogen dioxide (NO2) from the product gas.
Humidity control device alters water content to control humidity
A humidity control device configured to alter a water content of at least one of the reactant gas and the product gas to control humidity within the system.
Humidity sensor communicates humidity information to controller
One or more humidity sensors configured to communicate humidity information with the at least one controller.
Humidity information used to achieve target nitric oxide production level
At least one parameter is humidity information in at least one of the reactant gas and the product gas to achieve a target nitric oxide production level.
Controller uses humidity control device through communication
A humidity control device configured to communicate with the at least one controller such that the controller can use the humidity control device to alter the humidity within at least one of the reactant gas and the product gas.
Overall claim coverage requires a plasma generator producing a nitric-oxide-containing product gas, a controller regulating nitric oxide using one or more input parameters including humidity information, a scrubber to remove NO2, and a humidity control device altering water content with humidity sensors providing humidity information to the controller.
Stated Advantages
Reduced nitric oxide production variability.
Prevention of condensation-related sensor damage/corrosion.
Documented Applications
Ventilation/medical devices use cases are described in the context of an inspiratory gas into which at least a portion of the product gas flows.
Interested in licensing this patent?