SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING NITRIC OXIDE
Various systems generating nitric oxide are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the system includes a first gas source providing nitrogen dioxide mixed in air or oxygen, and a second gas source supplying compressed air and/or compressed oxygen. The system also includes a ventilator coupled to the first and second gas sources, wherein the ventilator is resistant to nitrogen dioxide. The ventilator regulates gas flow and allows for the adjustment of nitrogen dioxide concentration in the gas flow. The system further includes one or more conversion devices operably coupled to the ventilator where the conversion devices convert nitrogen dioxide into nitric oxide. A patient interface delivers nitric oxide to the patient and is operably coupled to the conversion devices. The system allows oxygen and nitric oxide levels to be varied independently.
1 .- 6 . (canceled)
7 . A method for delivering nitric oxide to a patient, comprising:
introducing a first gas including nitrogen dioxide premixed in air or oxygen into a delivery system, wherein the delivery system includes a conversion device capable of converting nitrogen dioxide to nitric oxide;
adjusting the amount of the first gas using a mixing valve, wherein the mixing valve is resistant to NO 2 gas;
regulating a gas flow pattern through the delivery system using a ventilator operably coupled to the conversion device;
converting the nitrogen dioxide in the first gas to nitric oxide gas in the conversion device; and
delivering the nitric oxide gas to the patient.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising:
introducing a second gas including air or oxygen into the delivery system;
communicating the second gas to the ventilator via the delivery system;
adjusting the amount of the second gas using the mixing valve.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
introducing a third gas of compressed oxygen into the delivery system; and
communicating the third gas to the ventilator via the delivery system.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising increasing the moisture in the first gas by passing the first gas through a humidifier positioned between the ventilator and the conversion device.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the conversion device an inlet, an outlet and an antioxidant and converting the nitrogen dioxide in the first gas to nitric oxide gas includes contacting the nitrogen dioxide with the antioxidant.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the conversion device further includes a chamber containing a matrix positioned within the chamber such that there is a space between the chamber and the matrix, and converting the nitrogen dioxide in the first gas to nitric oxide gas further includes directing the first gas to the space between the chamber and the matrix by passing the first gas over a diverter located in the inlet.