Wearable Platform for Low‐Dose Inhaled Nitric Oxide Therapy

Abstract

AbstractThe ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic has been a daunting challenge for healthcare systems worldwide. The World Health Organization has recommended various measures to reduce or limit the spread of the virus, one of which includes the use of face masks. This increase in their demand has provided a unique opportunity to improve the technology by offering, in addition to their inherent protection, therapeutic benefits. One such benefit involves inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy. iNO has proven to be a beneficial therapeutic in patients with acute, hypoxemic respiratory failure and lung injury. Specifically, its potential application stems from its ability to rapidly increase oxygen partial pressure in arterial blood. However, iNO treatments generally require pressurized gas cylinders which are coupled with high costs and lack of portability. A face mask which can deliver therapeutic NO is developed using humidity‐triggered NO‐releasing nanoparticles. This platform can deliver a low dose of 2.1–2.5 ppm NO for 90 min in a sustained manner. Moreover, it can be stored for extended periods of time and can be easily transported due to its light weight. This NO mask has the potential to alleviate the strain that affects financially limited healthcare systems in developing regions.