Abstract: A system for the delivery of nitric oxide therapy to a patient that allows interventions by a user by activating a pause mode through a user input. A CPU in the system recognizes the activation of the pause mode and sends a signal to close a valve in order to discontinue the supply of nitric oxide to the patient. The activation of the pause mode also deactivates the normal alarm systems. A timer is activated when the system enters the pause mode and the timer allows a predetermined amount of time to pass while the pause mode is in effect. After that predetermined period of time has elapsed, the timer causes the CPU to reopen the valve to reestablish the flow of nitric oxide for the continued therapy and reestablish the alarm systems. The pause mode can be thus carried out without changing any alarm settings, established flows and the like so that the therapy is again recommenced at the same conditions as were in effect prior to the initiation of the pause mode.

Abstract: A nitric oxide delivery system that is useable with any of a variety of gas delivery systems that provide breathing gas to a patient. The system detects the flow of gas delivered from the gas delivery system at various times and calculates the flow of a stream of nitric oxide in a diluent gas from a gas control valve. The flow of gas from the gas delivery system and the flow established from the flow control valve create a mixture having the desired concentration of nitric oxide for the patient.The system does not have to interrogate the particular gas delivery system being used but is an independent system that can be used with various flows, flow profiles and the like from gas delivery systems.