System and method for delivery of gas to a tissue
A system for delivery of gas to a tissue, comprises: a first container containing the gas, an applicator having a distal end arranged to deliver the gas to the tissue, a second container containing a purging gas; and a flow control system for controlling flow of gas. The system also comprises a three-port valve having a first port for receiving the gas from the first container, a second port for receiving the purging gas from the second container, and a third port in fluid communication with the applicator. The valve is switchable between a first state at which the first port fluidly connects to the third port, and a second state at which the second port fluidly connects to the third port.
1 . A system for delivery of gas to a tissue, the system comprising:
a container containing the gas, wherein the gas is gaseous nitric oxide (gNO);
an applicator, wherein the applicator is configured to deliver the gas to the tissue;
a three-port valve having a first port for receiving the gas from the container, a second port for receiving a purging gas or connecting to a vacuum source, and a third port in fluid communication with the applicator, the three-port valve being switchable between a first state at which the first port fluidly connects to the third port, and a second state at which the second port fluidly connects to the third port;
a flow control system for controlling flow of gas exiting the three-port valve;
a computerized controller for automatically controlling the flow control system, according to at least one of: a predetermined gas flow rate, a predetermined total amount of the gas flowing through the flow control system, and a predetermined total amount of time in which the gas flows through the flow control system; and
an adjustable pressure regulator, in fluid communication with the third port of the three-port valve, and being configured for maintaining a pressure which is below a predetermined threshold when the three-port valve assumes the first state, and a pressure which is above the predetermined threshold when the three-port valve assumes the second state;
wherein a concentration of the gNO in the container is from about 1,000 ppm to about 1,000,000 ppm.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the tissue is a tumor, and the applicator is configured to deliver the gas intratumorally.
3 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter, wherein the filter is configured to remove at least one of gNO and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) from excess gas exiting the applicator.
4 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a suctioning device, wherein the suctioning device is configured to withdraw excess gas exiting the applicator.
5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the flow control system comprises a flow controller and a flow limiter.
6 . The system according to claim 5 , wherein the flow limiter is configured to control a flow rate of the gas before the gas enters the flow controller.
7 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the flow control system comprises an orifice and a second valve, wherein the second valve is configured to control the orifice.
8 . The system according to claim 7 , wherein the second valve is a solenoid valve.
9 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined total amount of the gas is one of a volume or a mass.
10 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the applicator and the container are disposable.
11 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the container has a volume of less than 100 cc.
12 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein a gas pressure in the container is less than 10 bar.
13 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising an arrangement of sensors configured to (i) be distributed in a treatment room, (ii) sense the gas, and (iii) issue an alert signal when a level of the gas is above a respective predetermined threshold.
14 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the computerized controller is configured to control the three-port valve.
15 . A method for delivery of gas to a tissue, the method comprising:
providing a system according to claim 1 and in the system:
connecting the container to the three-port valve;
switching the three-port valve to the first state, thereby delivering the gas to the tissue; and
disconnecting the applicator and the container.
16 . The method according to claim 15 , wherein the tissue is a tissue of a subject, and the method further comprising delivering air or oxygen or oxygen-enriched air to the subject.
17 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the delivering is by a mask.
18 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the subject is a mammal.
19 . The method according to claim 16 , wherein the subject is a human.