Design and study of nitric oxide portable producing device using continuous discharging arc plasma reaction keeping low energy efficiency for viral pneumonia emergency therapy.

Li Qian,Wang Linlin,Sha Hong,Deng Juan,Tian Xinli,Wang Hong,Zhang Wenlu,Jonghyun Park

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237604

Li Qian, Wang Linlin + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237604

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Abstract

This study investigated the efficiency of a portable nitric oxide (NO) inhalation device through optimizing its design and structure. The portable rescue device could be used in clinical applications in outbreaks of viral pneumonia such as SARS. To reduce energy consumption for battery-powered portable usage, NO micro-channel plasma reactions induced by a continuous discharge arc were employed. A single-use airway tube could be combined with an intubation tube in clinical applications. In the experiment, a switching transistor controlled high frequency DC (12.5 kHz) was used to create a continuous discharge arc between two stainless steel electrodes (1-mm separation) after high-voltage breakthrough. A rotate instrument was employed to change the direction angle between the airflow and discharge arc, tube filled with Calcium hydroxide connected with gas outlet for reducing NO2, gas flow rate and input voltage were evaluated separately with concentration of NO and NO2/NO ratio. Results showed that a 2 L/min air flow direction from the cathode to the anode of electrodes (direction angle was zero) under 4 V input voltages produced 32.5±3.8 ppm NO, and the NO2/NO ratio reduced to less than 10%, stable output of nitric oxide might be convenient and effective for NO inhalation therapy. Modularization of the design produced a portable NO inhalation device that has potential for use in clinical applications as it is low cost, easy to disinfect, consumes low levels of energy and is ready to use.

Highlights

Nitric Oxide (NO) which has attracted widespread attention from researchers in the medicine and biology fields, is a chemically unstable gas that is oxidized to Nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
NO is a new type of bio-messenger molecule that has been identified as the endothelium-derived relaxing factor (E-DRF) that can relax blood vessels in the organism [1]
Akerstrom et al [7, 8] found that NO inhibits RNA replication and affected S protein palmitoylation

Summary

Introduction

Nitric Oxide (NO) which has attracted widespread attention from researchers in the medicine and biology fields, is a chemically unstable gas that is oxidized to Nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Study of nitric oxide portable producing device for viral pneumonia emergency therapy Inhalation of NO at concentrations between 3 and 20 ppm can selectively expand the pulmonary arteries and improve the oxygenation function of the lungs [2, 3]. NO inhalation therapy has achieved positive effects in the treatment of various cardiopulmonary diseases such as pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [4,5,6]. As NO may have a dual effect on SARS-CoV treatment through potentially improving the oxygen intake in the lungs and suppressing the coronavirus, it is helpful for the treatment of critically-ill patients in clinical settings prior to intubation treatment

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