# US 2014/0197043 A1 · Methods and apparatus for measuring nitric oxide in fluid

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- Number: US 2014/0197043 A1
- Document ID: US20140197043A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/843,562
- Filed: 2013-03-15
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14
- Assignees: LifeHealth, LLC
- Applicants: Lifehealth, LLC
- Inventors: Scott Everett BLOMBERG; Mark Louis Peterson; Amanda Marie Franey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197043A1

## CPC

- G01N 33/0011: {Sample conditioning (preparing specimens for investigation G01N1/28)}
- G01N 33/0037: {NOx}
- Y02A 50/20: Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

## Abstract

An exemplary apparatus for measuring nitric oxide in a fluid includes a sample injection port; a pump and reservoir; a valve; a measurement chamber; an electromagnetic radiation source; controls and user interface; and a cartridge. The cartridge includes a sample chamber a mix chamber; a sample degassing chamber; and a planar reaction chamber. The cartridge preferably is single-use and disposable. Furthermore, additional inventive aspects and features are disclosed related to measuring nitric oxide in a fluid.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for measuring a dissolved gas in a fluid comprising the following steps:
(a) liberating the dissolved gas from the fluid;
(b) capturing the liberated gas in a carrier gas;
(c) measuring the dissolved gas concentration using an electrochemical sensor

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the dissolved gas is nitric oxide.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the method of liberating the dissolved gas from the fluid includes the following steps:
(a) freeing the gas from its molecular bonds using electromagnetic radiation;
(b) outgassing the dissolved gas from the fluid.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is generated using a light emitting diode.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the outgassing method is by heat vaporization.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the method for capturing the liberated gas is closed from ambient atmosphere.

### Claim 7

An apparatus for measuring nitric oxide in a fluid, comprising:
(a) a disposable component for containing liquid or solid residue from fluid sample;
(b) an reusable instrument component including pumps, valves, a nitric oxide sensor, controls and user interfaces;

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the disposable component is designed for a single use.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the disposable contains a means for liberating nitric oxide gas from the fluid.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for liberating nitric oxide gas from the fluid includes using electromagnetic radiation.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for liberating nitric oxide gas from the fluid includes a means for outgassing the nitric oxide gas from the fluid.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the controls include a microprocessor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sensor for measuring nitric oxide gas is an electrochemical sensor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus includes a means for capturing the nitric oxide containing gas.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for capturing the nitric oxide containing gas is closed to ambient atmosphere.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the instrument includes the electromagnetic radiation source.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is light emitting diodes.

### Claim 18 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the disposable component includes a means for containing the liquid and solid components of the fluid sample.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for containing the liquid and solid components of the fluid sample is a gas permeable membrane.

### Claim 20

An apparatus for measuring nitric oxide in a fluid, comprising:
(a) a gas pump;
(c) a valve;
(d) a measurement chamber;
(e) an electromagnetic radiation source;
(f) a heater
(g) controls and user interface; and
(h) a cartridge comprising
(i) a sample chamber,
(ii) a sample degassing chamber, and
(iii) a reaction chamber.

### Claim at position 21

21-24. (canceled)