# US 2018/0021531 A1 · Therapeutic Treatment Methods and Apparatus for Use Therein > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021531 A1 - Document ID: US20180021531A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/541,351 - Filed: 2016-01-13 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-13 - Assignees: SOE Health Limited - Applicants: SOE Health Limited - Inventors: Neil Stentiford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021531A1 ## CPC - A61M 15/02: with activated or ionised {fluids, e.g. electrohydrodynamic [EHD] or electrostatic devices}; Ozone-inhalators {with radioactive tagged particles} - A61N 5/062: {Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent} - C01B 13/0248: {Physical processing only} - A61M 2202/0275: Nitric oxide [NO] - A61N 2005/0604: {Lungs and/or airways} - A61N 2005/0651: {Diodes} - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - C01B: NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; {METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C} ## Abstract A method of treating a subject suffering from, or susceptible to, a condition that can be ameliorated by inhalation of gaseous nitrite comprises the use of apparatus comprising an activating unit that includes a photosensitiser excitable by absorption of light to excite oxygen to a singlet state, and a light source arranged to illuminate the photosensitiser. Air is caused to flow through the activating unit while said photosensitiser is illuminated by the light source, and after passing through the activating unit, is directed to the respiratory tract of the subject. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of treating a subject suffering from, or susceptible to, a condition that can be ameliorated by inhalation of gaseous nitrite, which method comprises a) providing apparatus comprising an activating unit that includes a photosensitiser excitable by absorption of light to excite oxygen to a singlet state, and a light source arranged to illuminate the photosensitiser; b) causing air to flow through the activating unit while said photosensitiser is illuminated by the light source; and c) directing said air, after passage of the air through the activating unit, to the respiratory tract of the subject. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is one that is characterised by vasoconstriction, for instance angina or hypertension. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is erectile dysfunction, epilepsy or a sleep disorder. ### Claim 4 (canceled) ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is COPD a bacterial infection of the respiratory tract or a chronic lung infection associated with cystic fibrosis. ### Claim at position 7 -9. (canceled) ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ### Claim 11 (canceled) ### Claim 12 (canceled) ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said apparatus comprises a housing, the activating unit including the photosensitiser and the light source, and a fan arranged to cause air to flow through the activating unit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the photosensitiser is a phthalocyanine, such as a green and/or blue phthalocyanine, methylene blue, rose bengal or a porphyrin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the photosensitiser is coated on a planar substrate, for instance in the form of a plate or disc. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the photosensitiser has the form of a finely divided powder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the photosensitiser is mixed with a powdered or granular adjuvant. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the light source is one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs). ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the LEDs are mounted on an illuminating panel that is spaced apart from, and juxtaposed with, the photosensitiser, such that light from the LEDs impinges upon the photosensitiser. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the substrate is coated on both sides with photosensitiser and two illuminating panels are provided, one on each side of the coated substrate. ### Claim 21 Apparatus for producing singlet oxygen, the apparatus comprising a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet; a fan arranged within the housing to draw air from the air inlet to the air outlet; and an activating unit disposed in the path of the air from the air inlet to the air outlet, wherein the activating unit includes a photosensitiser excitable by absorption of light to excite oxygen to a singlet state, and a light source arranged to illuminate the photosensitiser; wherein the photosensitiser is coated on a planar substrate that is mounted on a carriage that, in use, extends through an opening in the housing such that the photosensitiser is positioned within the housing in juxtaposition with the light source, and wherein the carriage can be separated from the housing to permit replacement of the photosensitiser. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the carriage comprises a tray on which the photosensitiser-coated substrate rests. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the substrate is secured to the tray, for instance by means of one or more bolts or other mechanical fixings. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the carriage is such that when it is inserted into the apparatus it forms part of the housing of the apparatus to form a substantially complete enclosure. ### Claim 25 (depends on 21) The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the substrate is coated on both sides with photosensitiser, and the carriage is configured such that substantially all of both major surfaces of the substrate are exposed. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the apparatus includes two illuminating panels and the carriage positions the substrate substantially centrally between those panels, so that radiation from one illuminating panel impinges on one surface of the substrate and radiation from the other illuminating panel impinges on the other surface.