Abstract: The invention relates to a system for storing and distributing a gaseous mixture formed of NO/N2, comprising a container (6) containing an NO/nitrogen mixture equipped with an in-built pressure regulator (8) with an internal passage (22) for gas made of stainless steel and means for regulating the expansion of the gas collaborating with an expansion valve (27) and a valve seat (28) made of stainless steel. A first outlet coupling (21a) referred to as a ‘pressure’ outlet delivers the gas at low pressure and a second outlet coupling (21b) associated with a flow meter device comprising calibrated orifices and a flow rate selection member delivers the gas at several different flow rates. The invention also relates to an installation for distributing a gas containing NO to a patient comprising a ventilator (1) delivering a gas containing oxygen and to a system for storing and distributing a gaseous mixture formed of NO/N2 according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an NO/N2 gaseous mixture, comprising the steps of effecting a purification of impure gaseous nitrogen containing impurities at least of the O2 type by putting the impure nitrogen in contact with a catalyst and then with a molecular sieve; mixing the pure nitrogen obtained with nitric oxide (NO), and obtaining a mixture formed from NO and pure nitrogen containing an NO content of less than 20% by volume and a proportion of impurities of the O2 type of less than 5 ppmv and of the H2O type of less than 40 ppmv. The NO/nitrogen mixture may undergo supplementary dilutions with pure nitrogen. Such NO/nitrogen mixtures can be used for treating, by inhalation, pulmonary vasoconstrictions in adults or children, in particular in new-born babies suffering from primitive pulmonary hypertension or in patients undergoing heart surgery.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gas composition containing nitrogen monoxide (NO) and helium (He), which is administered by inhalation in order to prevent or treat at least a bacterial infection affecting all or some of the respiratory tract of a patient, especially the bronchial tree and the lungs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of storing a NO/N2 mixture in a packaging container, in particular a gas bottle, having an internal volume less than or equal to 12 liters, characterized in that a NO/N2 gaseous mixture containing between 400 ppm and 1000 ppm by volume of NO and nitrogen for the remainder is held at a pressure of at least 250 bar in the internal volume of said container. Preferably, the NO/N2 gaseous mixture is held at a pressure of 280 to 450 bar, and preferably between 300 and 420 bar.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for storing a NO/N2 mixture in a packaging container (6) comprising an inner volume, characterized in that it holds a NO/N2 gaseous mixture containing between 1200 and 4500 ppm by volume of NO, the remainder being nitrogen, at a pressure of at least 100 bar in the inner volume of said container (6), the inner volume being less than or equal to 12 litres (water equivalent).

Abstract: The invention concerns a gaseous medicine comprising a mixture of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and nitrogen (N2) for use by inhalation for the treatment of hypoxemic respiratory failure linked to pulmonary vasoconstriction in humans, said gaseous mixture containing between 1200 and 4500 ppm by volume (ppmv) of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and said hypoxemic respiratory failure being chosen from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant (PPHN).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing an NO/N2 gaseous mixture, comprising the steps of effecting a purification of impure gaseous nitrogen containing impurities at least of the O2 type by putting the impure nitrogen in contact with a catalyst and then with a molecular sieve; mixing the pure nitrogen obtained with nitric oxide (NO), and obtaining a mixture formed from NO and pure nitrogen containing an NO content of less than 20% by volume and a proportion of impurities of the O2 type of less than 5 ppmv and of the H2O type of less than 40 ppmv. The NO/nitrogen mixture may undergo supplementary dilutions with pure nitrogen. Such NO/nitrogen mixtures can be used for treating, by inhalation, pulmonary vasoconstrictions in adults or children, in particular in new-born babies suffering from primitive pulmonary hypertension or in patients undergoing heart surgery.

Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for filling gas containers (5) comprising at least one gas-container (5) filling system (2) comprising at least one gas-distribution device and connection means allowing the said device (1) to be connected fluidically to several containers (5) so as to fill the said containers (5) simultaneously with gas, for example a mixture of NO and of nitrogen. The gas-distribution device comprises a main body (1) with an internal gas-distribution chamber (3), a gas inlet orifice (11) fluidically communicating with the internal chamber (3) so as to allow gas to enter the said internal chamber (3) via the said inlet orifice (11), and several outlet orifices (12) fluidically communicating with the internal chamber (3) so as to allow gas to be discharged from the said internal chamber (3) via the said outlet orifices (12). The outlet orifices (12) are angularly distributed in the internal chamber (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for packaging NO/N2 mixtures, such as a gas cylinder, comprising a main body (1) comprising an internal volume (7) having a capacity between 2 and 30 liters and containing an NO/N2 mixture at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, the main body (1) being formed from an aluminum alloy, characterized in that the main body (1) is formed from an aluminum alloy comprising aluminum and a proportion by weight of Cr of between 0.05 and 0.80%, of Cu of between 1 and 3%, of Pb of at most 100 ppm, of Zn of between 5 and 8%, and of Mg of between 1 and 3%.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for packaging a gaseous NO/N2 mixture into a container comprising the steps of introducing into a container a gaseous premix formed of NO and of N2 containing an NO content of less than 10% by volume so as to reach a first pressure P1 with P1>1 bar, then introducing into the container containing the NO/N2 premix at the first pressure P1, gaseous nitrogen so as to obtain a final gaseous NO/N2 mix containing an NO content of less than or equal to 1200 ppm by volume and a second pressure P2 lying between P1 and 800 bar. The final NO/N2 gaseous mixture contains an NO content of less than or equal to 1000 ppm by volume.

Abstract: The method for packaging a gaseous NO/N2 mixture into at least one container, characterized in that, prior to admitting the said NO/N2 mixture, said at least one container is subjected to at least a purging step during which the internal volume of the container is placed in fluidic communication with the ambient atmosphere, an evacuating step during which the internal volume of the container is placed under depression, and a gas rinsing step during which an inert gas is admitted to said at least one container. For preference, the final gaseous NO/N2 mixture contains an NO content less than or equal to 1200 ppm by volume for a pressure of between P1 and 800 bar.