Methods and apparatus for therapeutic treatment of respiratory, cardiac and other pathologies

Abstract

A storage and delivery system for directly applying nitric oxide to a user includes a portable and disposable capsule and a source of nitric oxide gas disposed within the cavity. Gas flow control apparatus controls the flow of nitric oxide gas from the cavity. Gas flow initiation apparatus allows the user to initiate the flow of nitric oxide gas. The encapsulated nitric oxide gas is applied by positioning the capsule proximate to the objective site of the user and initiating flow of the nitric oxide gas.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method of storing pressurized gas for subsequent therapeutic application comprising encapsulating the pressurized gas in a portable, light-weight gas impermeable capsule.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the capsule includes means for controlling the concentration of gas delivered from the capsule.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of maintaining delivered nitric oxide gas at safe concentration levels to avoid toxic effects when applied to body cavities of subjects.  
     
     
         4 . A method of providing therapeutic application of a gas as required comprising: 
 encapsulating chemical reagents which form the gas when mixed and    mixing the chemical reagents when required.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said gas is nitric oxide.  
     
     
         6 . A method of directly applying nitric oxide gas for therapeutic use by humans and animals using a portable nitric oxide gas source.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the gas source is disposable gas.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising positioning the nitric oxide gas source for application proximal to or within a nostril of a subject human or animal.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising positioning elements of said nitric oxide gas source proximal to an objective site so as to provide optimal therapeutic effect.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising diluting inhaled gas by the respiratory tidal volume of a user.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising positioning the nitric oxide gas source for application proximal to or within any passage of a subject human or animal.  
     
     
         12 . A portable gas storage device for storing pressurized gas comprising: 
 a gas impermeable capsule;    means for controlling the flow rate of gas when released from the capsule; and    means for user initiation of gas outflow from said capsule.    
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the pressurized stored gas is nitric oxide.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising pressure control means for maintaining a constant gas venting pressure.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising a porous filter adapted for restricting the rate of gas outflow.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  further comprising means for filtering undesired impurities from the delivered gas stream.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the porous filter includes chemical reagents for removing nitrogen dioxide gas from the delivered gas stream.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the device is disposable.  
     
     
         19 . A gas generator comprising: 
 a capsule;    a plurality of chemical reagents disposed within the capsule, the chemical reagents generating a gas when activated; and    means for controlling the rate at which generated gas is vented from the capsule.    
     
     
         20 . The gas generator of  claim 19  wherein the generated gas is nitric oxide.  
     
     
         21 . The gas generator of  claim 19  further comprising pressure regulator means for providing a constant gas venting pressure.  
     
     
         22 . The gas generator of  claim 19  further comprising a porous plug for restricting the rate of gas outflow.  
     
     
         23 . The gas generator of  claim 22  wherein the porous plug includes reagents for filtering nitrogen dioxide gas from the gas outflow.  
     
     
         24 . The gas generator of  claim 19  further comprising a porous plug for preventing water vapor from leaving the capsule.  
     
     
         25 . The gas generator of  claim 19  further comprising a gas permeable tube.  
     
     
         26 . The gas generator of  claim 19  wherein the capsule is completely enclosed by a gas permeable polymer jacket.  
     
     
         27 . The gas generator of  claim 26  wherein the polymer jacket is impermeable to water and chemical reagents.  
     
     
         28 . The gas generator of  claim 19  wherein the chemical reagents are selected from the group consisting of water, sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite, sodium iodide, potassium iodide, ascorbic acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid and sulfuric acid, cupric chloride, cuprous chloride, and vanadium.  
     
     
         29 . The gas generator of  claim 19  wherein the chemical reagents are selected from the group of S-Nitrosothiols (RSNO) consisting of S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D-, -dimethylcysteine (SNAP), S-nitroso-L-glutathione (GSNO), S-Nitrosocysteine, S-nitrosated amino acid, S-nitrosated peptides, and S-nitrosated protein.  
     
     
         30 . The gas generator of  claim 19  further comprising breakable vessel means, disposed within the capsule a first of the chemical reagents being stored within the vessel and a second of the chemical regents being stored between the vessel and the capsule, for allowing the first chemical reagent to mix with the second chemical reagent when broken.  
     
     
         31 . The gas generator of  claim 19  wherein the chemical reagents include NONOate.