Patent Application
20240238159
Normal human physiological plasma concentration of nitrite and nitrate are 0.3 uM-0.5 uM and 20-30 uM concentrations, respectively. Patients with endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide deficiency have lower concentrations. Clinical studies show that repletion of nitrite and nitrate through oral supplementation can replete and recapitulate nitric oxide based signaling. Nitrite and nitrate can also be absorbed transdermally to reach steady state equilibrium with plasma concentrations. A physiological milieu can be created in a nitric oxide repletion system to allow for simple diffusion of nitrite and nitrate along a concentration gradient to modulate plasma levels of nitrite and nitrate in a human.
A nitric oxide repletion system according to various embodiments of the present technology is configured to disperse therapeutic constituents into a reservoir holding a body of liquid. The nitric oxide repletion system may comprise a reservoir, such as a single person spa or tub, and a liquid circulation system comprising a pump, a liquid conduit, a main return, a nitric oxide dispensing system and a mineral dispensing system. The nitric oxide repletion system may further comprise a control panel. In some embodiments, the nitric oxide repletion system may further comprise a gas injector system, a gas supply, a venturi injector, and an ultrafine bubble (UFB) generator. In various embodiments, the nitric oxide repletion system may further comprise a microbubble generator.
A more complete understanding of the present technology may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The present technology may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present technology may employ various types of connectors, couplings, tubing, conduit, valves, regulators, pumps, nozzles, liquid and/or chemical tanks and/or hoppers, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the present technology may be practiced in conjunction with any number of systems such as residential, commercial, and/or industrial bathing treatment systems and the system described is merely one exemplary application for the technology. Further, the present technology may employ any number of conventional techniques for distributing and/or mixing chemicals, measuring and/or sensing a liquid and/or chemical amount and/or concentration, controlling fluid flow, controlling valves, pumps, coupling valves, conduit, nozzles, regulators, and the like.
Methods and apparatus for a nitric oxide (NO) repletion system according to various aspects of the present technology may operate in conjunction with any suitable aquatic application. Various representative implementations of the present technology may be applied to any bathing, therapeutic, and/or treatment system for a bath or personal spa.
Referring to
The reservoir 12 may comprise any suitable apparatus for holding a body of liquid (e.g., water) such as a single or multi-person tub, therapeutic bath, spa, tank, or the like. The reservoir 12 may comprise any suitable size and shape to fit at least a part of a body. The reservoir 12 may comprise any suitable total volume. For example, in some embodiments, the reservoir 12 may be sized to hold a total volume of between about 200 L and about 850 L (approximately 53-225 gallons). In various embodiments, the main return 20 of the reservoir 12 may comprise direct flow jets or outlet jets similar to a jetted tub or hot tub. In other embodiments, the main return 20 may comprise a single inlet.
Referring now to
The main liquid conduit 15 is fluidly connected to the reservoir 12 by a main inlet 13 and positioned upstream of the pump 14. The main liquid conduit 15 facilitates circulation of the liquid from the reservoir 12 to the pump 14, venturi injector 16, and UFB generator 18 back to the reservoir 12. The main liquid conduit 15 may comprise any suitable system for allowing a flow of liquid through the liquid circulation system 52 of the nitric oxide repletion system 10. The main liquid conduit 15 may be any suitable size based on the size and type of components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, the pressure and/or flow requirements for the liquid flowing into and/or out of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, or any other relevant factor.
The pump 14 facilitates flow of the liquid from the reservoir 12 through the various components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10 and back into the reservoir 12. The pump 14 may comprise any suitable system or device configured to circulate liquid through the nitric oxide repletion system 10. For example, the pump 14 may be configured to receive water from the reservoir 12 via the main liquid conduit 15 and generate a sufficient flow rate of water through the various components of the liquid circulation system 30 and back into the reservoir 12. The pump 14 may comprise any suitable size and may be selected according to any suitable criteria such as desired application, desired flow rate, operating pressure, source of liquid, or function. For example, the pump 14 may comprise an electrical pump powered by an external power supply and be configured to provide a specific output power, fixed or adjustable flow rate, or other suitable criteria.
The venturi injector 16 is configured to receive a flow of liquid from the pump 14 and to receive a concentrated gas from the gas supply 30 that is configured to supply gas to the gas injector system 28. The venturi injector 16 may comprise a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet. For example, the first inlet may be connected to the pump 14 via the main liquid conduit 15 and configured to receive the liquid. The second inlet may be connected to the gas injector system 28 to receive one or more gasses. The venturi injector 16 outlet may be connected to the main liquid conduit 15 to allow flow of the liquid to continue to the UFB generator 18. The venturi injector 16 may comprise any suitable type of device for drawing gas into the liquid flow. For example, the venturi injector 16 may comprise a conventional venturi valve configured to create a suction effect to pull a gas from the gas injector system 28 into the second inlet. The venturi injector 16 may be constructed of any suitable material and may be of any suitable size based on the size and type of components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, the pressure and/or flow requirements for the liquid flowing into and/or out of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, or any other relevant factor.
The gas supply 30 provides an external source of a gas to the gas injector system 28. The gas supply 30 may also be configured to generate a desired gas from the ambient air supply. The gas supply 30 may comprise any suitable concentrated gas and/or pressurized gas. For example, the gas supply 30 may generate oxygen gas and/or ozone gas from ambient air and provide the generated gas to the gas injector system 28.
The gas injector system 28 injects the gas from the gas supply 30 into the liquid flowing through the venturi injector 16. The gas injector system 28 may comprise any suitable type of device for injecting gas into the liquid. The gas injector system 28 may be selected according to any suitable criteria such as a desired output power, the size and type of components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, the pressure and/or flow requirements for the liquid flowing into and/or out of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, or any other relevant factor.
In some embodiments, the nitric oxide repletion system 10 may further comprise a microbubble generator (not shown). The microbubble generator may be configured to generate microbubbles to produce oxygen and ozone-infused water. The microbubble generator may comprise any suitable type of device for producing microbubbles of any suitable size. For example, the gas injector system 28 may be configured to generate microbubbles in the range from 0.2 μm to 100 μm in diameter. The microbubble generator may be selected according to any suitable criteria such as a desired output power, the size and type of components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, the pressure and/or flow requirements for the liquid flowing into and/or out of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, or any other relevant factor.
The ultrafine bubble (UFB) generator 18 is configured to receive the gas-infused first portion of the flow of liquid from the venturi injector 16. The UFB generator 18 may be configured to generate ultrafine bubbles to produce oxygen-infused and/or ozone-infused water. The UFB generator 18 may comprise any suitable type of device for producing ultrafine bubbles of any suitable size. For example, the UFB generator 18 may be configured to generate ultrafine bubbles of less than 0.2 μm in diameter. The UFB generator 18 may be selected according to any suitable criteria such as a desired output power, the size and type of components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, the pressure and/or flow requirements for the liquid flowing into and/or out of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, or any other relevant factor.
The nitric oxide dispensing system 22 is configured to dispense a nitric oxide releasing composition 32 into the second portion of the liquid flowing from the pump 14 via the second liquid conduit 23 located downstream of the pump 14 into the reservoir 12. In one embodiment, the nitric oxide dispensing system 22 comprises a compartment 34 for receiving the nitric oxide releasing composition 32, an inlet 36 for receiving the second portion of the liquid from the second liquid conduit 23 into the compartment 34, a valve 38 coupled downstream from the inlet 36 for regulating an incoming flow of the second portion of the liquid and at least one outlet 39 for expelling the nitric oxide infused liquid into the reservoir 12.
The at least one outlet 39 may comprise one or more holes 40 disposed along any portion of the compartment 34 in fluid communication with the reservoir 12. For example, in one embodiment, the holes 40 may be positioned on a portion of the compartment 34 to facilitate flow of the liquid from the nitric oxide composition 32 to the reservoir 12. The holes 40 may comprise any suitable shape and size, such has horizontal slits, circular cutouts, or any other shape and size which allows liquid to flow out of the interior of the compartment 34. In some embodiments, the nitric oxide dispensing system 22 may comprise a series of jets (not shown) configured to inject the nitric oxide under pressure into the reservoir 12.
The nitric oxide releasing composition 32 may comprise any suitable composition that may release nitric oxide when combined with an aqueous solution. The nitric oxide releasing composition 32 may comprise any suitable form for dispersing into a reservoir holding a body of liquid. For example, in some embodiments, the nitric oxide releasing composition 32 may be in the form of a gas, solid or liquid. The nitric oxide may comprise any suitable concentration or particle size. The nitric oxide releasing composition 32 may be packaged in any suitable form for dispensing nitric oxide into a reservoir. For example, in some embodiments, the nitric oxide releasing composition 32 may be packaged in a bag, pellet or a powder.
The mineral dispensing system 24 is configured to dispense a mineral releasing composition 44 into a third portion of the liquid flowing from the pump 14 via a third liquid conduit 25. In one embodiment, the mineral dispensing system 24 comprises a second compartment 42 for receiving a mineral releasing composition 44, a second inlet 46 for receiving the third portion of the liquid from the third liquid conduit 25 from the pump 14 into the second compartment 42; a second valve 48 coupled downstream from the second inlet 46 for regulating an incoming flow of the third portion of the liquid; and at least one second outlet 49 for expelling the mineral infused liquid into the reservoir 12.
The at least one second outlet 49 may comprise one or more holes 50 disposed along any portion of the second compartment 42 in fluid communication with the reservoir 12. For example, in one embodiment, the holes 50 may be positioned on a portion of the second compartment 42 to facilitate flow of the liquid from the mineral composition 44 to the reservoir 12. The holes 50 may comprise any suitable shape and size, such has horizontal slits, circular cutouts, or any other shape and size which allows liquid to flow out of the interior of the second compartment 42. In some embodiments, the mineral dispensing system 24 may comprise a series of jets (not shown) configured to inject the mineral under pressure into the reservoir 12.
The mineral releasing composition 44 may comprise any suitable composition that may release mineral when combined with an aqueous solution. The mineral releasing composition 44 may comprise any suitable form for dispersing into a reservoir holding a body of liquid. For example, in some embodiments, the mineral releasing composition 44 may be in the form of a gas, solid or liquid. The mineral may comprise any suitable mineral, concentration or particle size. The mineral releasing composition 44 may be packaged in any suitable form for dispensing mineral into a reservoir. For example, in some embodiments, the mineral releasing composition 44 may be packaged as a bag, pellet or a powder. In some embodiments, the valve 38 of the nitric oxide dispensing system 22 and the second valve 48 of the mineral dispensing system 24 may comprise automatic shutoff valves. For example, the automatic shutoff valve may be configured to automatically activating or deactivating the valve 38 of the nitric oxide dispensing system 22 or the second valve 48 of the mineral dispensing system 24 to maintain a desired level and/or composition of nitric oxide/minerals in the reservoir 12. The valves 38, 48 may also be responsive to signals from the control panel 26 such that are configured to open or close according to commands from the control panel 26. In yet another embodiment, the valves 38, 48 may be manually operated.
The nitric oxide repletion system 10 may further comprise a control panel 26 to operate various components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10. The control panel 26 may be located on an outside surface of the reservoir 12 for easy access to control operation of the nitric oxide repletion system 10. The control panel 26 may comprise any suitable device or system required to operate the various components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10.
In various embodiments, the control panel 26 may further comprise a system for monitoring, detecting and quantify levels of nitric oxide and/or minerals in the liquid. For example, the monitoring system may comprise any suitable sensors or other detection mechanism. In some embodiments, the control system 26 may comprise a system for automatically activating or deactivating the valve 38 of the nitric oxide dispensing system 22 or the second valve 48 of the mineral dispensing system 24 to maintain a desired level and/or composition of nitric oxide/minerals in the reservoir 12.
Referring to
Referring to
As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10, such as the various valves, nozzles, regulators, and the like, may be coupled together directly or indirectly. Any suitable conduit may be used to indirectly couple the various components. As will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various components, while discussed separately, may be embodied as single systems performing the functions of one or more of the described components. For example, the pump 14 may comprise a system that performs the functions of pumping the flow of liquid.
As will also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the various components, including any conduit, of the nitric oxide repletion system 10 may be sized based on any number of factors, including flow rate and/or pressure requirements of a system the nitric oxide repletion system 10, is configured to couple to, the volume of liquid required to be output from the nitric oxide repletion system 10, mechanical tolerances and limits of the various components themselves, the liquids and/or secondary chemicals used in the nitric oxide repletion system 10, and the like. Similarly, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the various components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10 may be made from any suitable material, for example copper, PVC, brass, and the like, and the choice of material may depend on the particular application of the nitric oxide repletion system 10. Relevant regulations and standards, such as those promulgated by NSF International, may also affect the choice of size, material, and the like, for the various components of the nitric oxide repletion system 10.
The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the technology and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present technology in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or steps between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.
In the foregoing description, the technology has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications and changes may be made, however, without departing from the scope of the present technology as set forth. The description and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative manner, rather than a restrictive one and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology. Accordingly, the scope of the technology should be determined by the generic embodiments described and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the specific examples described above. For example, the steps recited in any method or process embodiment may be executed in any appropriate order and are not limited to the explicit order presented in the specific examples. Additionally, the components and/or elements recited in any system embodiment may be combined in a variety of permutations to produce substantially the same result as the present technology and are accordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in the specific examples.
Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to particular embodiments. Any benefit, advantage, solution to problems or any element that may cause any particular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become more pronounced, however, is not to be construed as a critical, required or essential feature or component.
The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any variation thereof, are intended to reference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements recited, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/or modifications of the above-described structures, arrangements, applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in the practice of the present technology, in addition to those not specifically recited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specific environments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or other operating requirements without departing from the general principles of the same.
The present technology has been described above with reference to an exemplary embodiment. However, changes and modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the present technology. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present technology.
