Methods and devices for the delivery of therapeutic gases including nitric oxide

A method of treating or preventing disease and non-disease states in an animal or human patient, comprising administering one or more therapeutic gases to the patient by activating one or more gas package devices, wherein at least one gas package device comprises:

• a reservoir that is capable of supplying the one or more therapeutic gases;
• an interface layer, made of a gas permeable material surrounding the reservoir, that regulates the flow of the one or more therapeutic gases from the reservoir to an environment external to the at least one device;
• and
• an element, covering all or some of the interface layer, that prevents the flow of therapeutic gases through the interface layer to the external environment until the at least one device is activated by compromising the element, and that is selected from the group consisting of a sealing layer, a holding container, and combinations thereof.