Device And Method For Diffusing High Concentration NO With Inhalation Therapy Gas

Abstract

Systems and methods of the present invention can enable high concentration NO to be delivered into ventilator breathing circuits, via a diffusing device, without generating undesirably large amounts of NO2.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of delivery nitric oxide (NO) to a patient, the method comprising:
 combining a first gas stream comprising molecular oxygen (O 2 ) and a second gas stream comprising NO to provide a combined gas stream; and   delivering the combined gas stream to the patient,   wherein the diffusing of NO and O 2  in the combined gas stream occurs sufficiently rapidly that less than 1 ppm of NO 2  is delivered to the patient.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second gas stream is provided by an NO source having an NO concentration of greater than 800 ppm to about 10,000 ppm. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the combined gas stream has an NO concentration of about 1 ppm to about 80 ppm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first gas is a breathable gas comprising molecular N 2  and molecular O 2 , and the second gas comprises molecular NO and molecular N 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second gas stream initially enters the first gas stream at an angle in the range of about 60° to about 120°. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the volumetric flow rate of the second gas is linearly proportional to the volumetric flow rate of the first gas. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first gas stream has a first velocity and the second gas stream has a second velocity, and the ratio of the first velocity to the second velocity is less than 2:1. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the ratio of the first velocity to the second velocity is less than or equal to about 1:1. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the ratio of less than or equal to about 1:1 is provided when the first gas stream has a volumetric flow rate of less than 2 SLPM. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second gas stream enters the first gas stream at or near the central midpoint of the highest velocity of the first gas stream. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second gas stream is injected into the first gas stream as a plurality of pulses. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises:
 a body comprising a wall having a thickness, an outer surface, and an inner surface surrounding a hollow internal region;   a projection extending from the inner surface of the body and into the hollow internal region; and   an injection channel passing through the wall and projection to an injection port such that the injection port injects the high concentration gas into the transverse gas stream at a distance from the inner surface of the body.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the hollow internal region has a diameter, and a length of the projection from the inner surface to the injection port outlet is in the range of about 30% to about 45% of the diameter of the hollow internal region. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the device comprises a plurality of injection ports. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device is integral to an injector module comprising a flow sensor. 
     
     
         16 . A method of delivery nitric oxide (NO) to a patient, the method comprising:
 receiving a dose of NO from a user;   
       combining a first gas stream comprising molecular oxygen (O 2 ) and a second gas stream comprising NO to provide a combined gas stream; and 
       delivering the combined gas stream to the patient, 
       wherein the diffusing of NO and O 2  in the combined gas stream occurs sufficiently rapidly that less than 1 ppm of NO 2  is delivered to the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , the combined gas stream provides the dose of NO at a concentration of about 1 ppm to about 80 ppm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the volumetric flow rate of the second gas is linearly proportional to the volumetric flow rate of the first gas. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first gas stream has a first velocity and the second gas stream has a second velocity, and the ratio of the first velocity to the second velocity is less than 2:1. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second gas stream enters the first gas stream at or near the central midpoint of the highest velocity of the first gas stream.