US20090112197A1

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Publication number: US20090112197A1
Application number: US12/005,136
Authority: US
Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde; Muriel Y. Ishikawa; Lowell L. Wood, JR.
Original assignee: Searete LLC
Current assignee: Gearbox LLC
Priority date: 2007-10-30
Filing date: 2007-12-21
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: US7975699B2; US20090107512A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to devices that facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/981,743, entitled Methods and Systems for Use of Photolyzable Nitric Oxide Donors, naming Roderick A. Hyde as inventor, filed 30 Oct. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/998,864, entitled Systems and Devices that Utilize Photolyzable Nitric Oxide Donors, naming Roderick A. Hyde as inventor, filed 30 Nov. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. UNKNOWN, entitled Systems and Devices Related to Nitric Oxide Releasing Materials, naming Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 21 Dec. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. UNKNOWN, entitled Devices and Systems that Deliver Nitric Oxide, naming Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 21 Dec. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. UNKNOWN, entitled Nitric Oxide Sensors and Systems, naming Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 21 Dec. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. UNKNOWN, entitled Condoms Configured to Facilitate Release of Nitric Oxide, naming Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa and Lowell L. Wood, Jr. as inventors, filed 21 Dec. 2007, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date.

The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO's computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO's computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present application as a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s).

All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith.

TECHNICAL FIELD

SUMMARY

In some embodiments one or more devices are provided that include one or more light sources that are specifically configured to emit light that facilitates release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors. The devices may optionally include one or more control units that are operably associated with the one or more light sources. The devices may optionally include one or more sensors that are operably associated with the one or more control units. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments one or more systems are provided that include circuitry for operating one or more light sources that are specifically configured to emit light that facilitates release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors. The systems may optionally include circuitry for operating one or more control units that are operably associated with the one or more light sources. The systems may optionally include circuitry for operating one or more sensors that are operably associated with the one or more control units. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments one or more systems are provided that include means for operating one or more light sources that are specifically configured to emit light that facilitates release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors. The systems may optionally include means for operating one or more control units that are operably associated with the one or more light sources. The systems may optionally include means for operating one or more sensors that are operably associated with the one or more control units. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments one or more systems are provided that include one or more instructions for operating one or more light sources that are specifically configured to emit light that facilitates release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors. The systems may optionally include one or more instructions for operating one or more control units that are operably associated with the one or more light sources. The systems may optionally include one or more instructions for operating one or more sensors that are operably associated with the one or more control units. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, means include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein referenced functional aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein referenced functional aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects means are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, related systems include but are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the herein referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the herein referenced method aspects depending upon the design choices of the system designer. In addition to the foregoing, other system aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and/or text forming a part of the present application.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings, claims, and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates anexample system100 in which embodiments may be implemented.

FIG. 2 illustratesembodiment200 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 3 illustrates alternate embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 4 illustratesembodiment400 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 5 illustrates alternate embodiments ofembodiment400 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 6 illustrates alternate embodiments ofembodiment400 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 7 illustratesembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 8 illustrates alternate embodiments ofembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 9 illustrates alternate embodiments ofembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 10 illustrates alternate embodiments ofembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100.

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial view of asystem1100 that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device.

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial view of asystem1200 that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device.

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial view of asystem1300 that includes a computer program for executing a computer process on a computing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Device

System

Light Source

Numerouslight sources104 may be used withinsystem100. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be used to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit light of multiple wavelengths. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit light that is selected to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that are selected to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more identified photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may emit one or more wavelengths of light that are selected based on the absorption spectrum of one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may emit one or more wavelengths of light that are selected based on decomposition of one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that cause decomposition of one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 without causing injury to adjacent structures and/or tissues. In some embodiments, a firstlight source104 may be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that cause a first photolyzablenitric oxide donor110 to release nitric oxide and a secondlight source104 may be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that cause a second photolyzablenitric oxide donor110 to release nitric oxide. Accordingly, numerouslight sources104 may be coupled with numerous types of photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 to provide for selective release of nitric oxide.

In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or more quantum dots (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,235,361; herein incorporated by reference). For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that are absorbed by one or more quantum dots. In some embodiments, one or more quantum dots may be configured to absorb light and then emit one or more wavelengths of light that cause release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. Accordingly, in some embodiments, emission from one or more first quantum dots may be tuned to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more first photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 and emission from one or more second quantum dots may be tuned to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more second photolyzablenitric oxide donors110.

In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to externally illuminate auser126. Accordingly, one or morelight sources104 may be configured in numerous ways. For example, in some embodiments, alight source104 may be associated with a lamp, a flashlight, a wand, a ring, a glove, a sheet, a condom, a penile sleeve, and the like. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be associated with clothing.

In some embodiments,light sources104 may be remotely controlled. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to receive one ormore signals118 that include instructions for operation of the one or morelight sources104. Such instructions may be associated with emission of light, non-emission of light, time when light is emitted, length of light emission, intensity of light emission, wavelengths of emitted light, and the like.

In some embodiments,light sources104 may be configured to include one ormore control units106. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to include a switch that may be used to turn thelight source104 on and off. For example, in some embodiments, alight source104 may be configured to include a push button switch to turn thelight source104 on and off.

In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or more light emitters that are coupled to one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112. The one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112 may be configured to couple with one or moreelectromagnetic transmitters116 that produce one or more electromagnetic fields that induce an electrical current to flow in the one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112 to energize the light emitters (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,152; herein incorporated by reference). Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured such that they are not directly coupled to an energy source.

Alight source104 may be configured to emit numerous types of light. In some embodiments, emitted light may be visible light. In some embodiments, emitted light may be infrared light. In some embodiments, emitted light may be ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, emitted light may be substantially any combination of visible light, infrared light, and/or ultraviolet light. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may emit fluorescent light. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may emit phosphorescent light.

In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit light continuously. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit light as a pulse. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit light as a flash. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit light continuously, as a pulse, as a flash, or substantially any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, one or more light emitters and/orlight sources104 may be configured to provide for upconversion of energy. In some embodiments, infrared light may be upconverted to visible light (e.g., Mendioroz et al., Optical Materials, 26:351-357 (2004). In some embodiments, infrared light may be upconverted to ultraviolet light (e.g., Mendioroz et al., Optical Materials, 26:351-357 (2004). In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or more rare-earth materials (e.g., ytterbium-erbium, ytterbium-thulium, or the like) that facilitate upconversion of energy (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,088,040; herein incorporated by reference). For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be associated with Nd³⁺ doped KPb₂Cl₅crystals. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be associated with thiogallates doped with rare earths, such as CaGa₂S₄:Ce³⁺ and SrGa₂S₄:Ce³⁺. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be associated with aluminates that are doped with rare earths, such as YAlO₃:Ce³⁺, YGaO₃:Ce³⁺, Y(Al,Ga)O₃:Ce³⁺, and orthosilicates M₂SiO₅:Ce³⁺ (M:Sc, Y, Sc) doped with rare earths, such as, for example, Y₂SiO₅:Ce³⁺. In some embodiments, yttrium may be replaced by scandium or lanthanum (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,812,500 and 6,327,074; herein incorporated by reference). Numerous materials that may be used to upconvert energy have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,956,172; 5,943,160; 7,235,189; 7,215,687; herein incorporated by reference).

Control unit

Sensor/Remote Sensor

In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may be configured to detect one or more nitric oxide donors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may include one or more surface plasmon resonance chemical electrodes that are configured to detect one or more nitric oxide donors. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may include one or more surface plasmon resonance chemical electrodes that include antibodies and/or aptamers that bind to one or more nitric oxide donors. Accordingly, such electrodes may be used to detect the one or more nitric oxide donors through use of surface plasmon resonance. Methods to construct surface plasmon resonance chemical electrodes are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,799; Lin et al., Applied Optics, 46:800-806 (2007)). In some embodiments, antibodies and/or aptamers that bind to one or more nitric oxide donors may be used within one or more micro-electro-mechanical systems to detect one or more nitric oxide donors. Methods to construct micro-electro-mechanical detectors have been described (e.g., Gau et al., Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 16:745-755 (2001)).

In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may be configured to detect strain. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may include one or more strain gauges. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may be configured to detect penile rigidity. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may be configured to detect blood pressure. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may include one or more transmitters. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 and/or one or moreremote sensors120 may transmit one ormore signals118 to which one or morelight sources104 that are associated with adevice102 will respond.

Photolyzable Nitric Oxide Donor

Numerous photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be used withinsystem100. Examples of such photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 include, but are not limited to, diazeniumdiolates (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,105,502; 7,122,529; 6,673,338; herein incorporated by reference), trans-[RuCl([15]aneN4)NO]+2 (Ferezin et al., Nitric Oxide, 13:170-175 (2005), Bonaventura et al., Nitric Oxide, 10:83-91 (2004)), nitrosyl ligands (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,077; herein incorporated by reference, Chmura et al., Nitric Oxide, 15:370-379 (2005), Flitney et al., Br. J. Pharmacol., 107:842-848 (1992), Flitney et al., Br. J. Pharmacol., 117:1549-1557 (1996), Matthews et al., Br. J. Pharmacol., 113:87-94 (1994)), 6-Nitrobenzo[a]pyrene (e.g., Fukuhara et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 123:8662-8666 (2001)), S-nitroso-glutathione (e.g., Rotta et al., Braz. J. Med. Res., 36:587-594 (2003), Flitney and Megson, J. Physiol., 550:819-828 (2003)), S-nitrosothiols (e.g., Andrews et al., British Journal of Pharmacology, 138:932-940 (2003), Singh et al., FEBS Lett., 360:47-51 (1995)), 2-Methyl-2-nitrosopropane (e.g., Pou et al., Mol. Pharm., 46:709-715 (1994), Wang et al., Chem. Rev., 102:1091-1134 (2002)), imidazolyl derivatives (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,710; herein incorporated by reference).

In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be used in association with additional nitric oxide donors that are not photolyzable. In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be used in association with additional agents. Examples of such additional agents include, but are not limited to, enzyme inhibitors (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,943,166; herein incorporated by reference), agents that increase the effects and/or concentration of nitric oxide106 (e.g., methylene blue and N(w)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG) (see Chen and Gillis, Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 190, 559-563 (1993) and Kim et al., J. Vet.Sci., 1:81-86 (2000)), L-arginine (e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20020068365 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,635,273; herein incorporated by reference), agents that stabilize nitric oxide donors (e.g., dimethly sulfoxide and ethanol), agents that increase the half life of nitric oxide (e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20030039697; herein incorporated by reference), and the like.

Electromagnetic Receiver

Numerous types ofelectromagnetic receivers112 may be used withinsystem100. In some embodiments, one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112 may be used to electromagnetically couple power to energize one or morelight sources104 from an external power supply. Methods to construct suchelectromagnetic receivers112 have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,152). Briefly, in some embodiments, one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112 may be associated with one or more rectifier chips. The one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112 may include one or more cores about which are wrapped an electrical conductor. In some embodiments, cores may comprise a material, such as a ferrite material, due to its relatively high magnetic permeability and low magnetic hysteresis. However, other materials can be used for this purpose. In some embodiments, theelectromagnetic receiver112 may be operably coupled to a light emitting diode.

Electromagnetic Energy

Electrical power may be electromagnetically coupled from one or moreelectromagnetic transmitters116 with one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112. Accordingly, electrical power that is transferred to the one or moreelectromagnetic receivers112 may be used to power one or more operably linked light emitters. Methods and devices that may be used to transmit electrical power to a light emitter have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,152).

Electromagnetic Transmitter

Numerous types ofelectromagnetic transmitters116 may be used withinsystem100. Methods to constructelectromagnetic transmitters116 have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,152). Briefly, in some embodiments, theelectromagnetic transmitter116 may include a ferrite core around which is wrapped an electrical conductor. Other types of material having high magnetic permeability and relatively low magnetic hysteresis may be used for the core. Insulating tape may be wrapped around the electrical conductor, or theelectromagnetic transmitter116 may be dipped in a resin to form a coating that stabilizes and fixes the electrical conductor on the core. A return lead from one end of the electrical conductor may include one of two leads that are coupled to an AC power supply.

Management Unit

Transmitter

Thesystem100 may include one or more transmitters. In some embodiments, one or more transmitters may be operably coupled to one ormore sensors108. In some embodiments, one or more transmitters may be operably coupled to one or moreremote sensors120. In some embodiments, one or more transmitters may be operably coupled to one ormore management units122. In some embodiments, one or more transmitters may be operably coupled to one ormore control units106. In some embodiments, one or more transmitters may be operably coupled to one ormore sensors108, one or moreremote sensors120, one ormore control units106, one ormore management units122, or substantially any combination thereof. Numerous types of transmitters may be used in association withsystem100. Examples of such transmitters include, but are not limited to, transmitters that transmit one or moreoptical signals118, radio signals118, wireless signals118,hardwired signals118,infrared signals118,ultrasonic signals118, and the like (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. RE39,785; 7,260,768; 7,260,764; 7,260,402; 7,257,327; 7,215,887; 7,218,900; herein incorporated by reference). In some embodiments, one or more transmitters may transmit one or more signals118 that are encrypted. Numerous types of transmitters are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Patent Nos. and Published U.S. Patent Applications: 7,236,595; 7,260,155; 7,227,956; US2006/0280307; herein incorporated by reference).

Signal

Numerous types ofsignals118 may be used in association withsystem100. Examples ofsuch signals118 include, but are not limited to,optical signals118, radio signals118, wireless signals118,hardwired signals118,infrared signals118,ultrasonic signals118, and the like.

In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may not be encrypted. In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may be encrypted. In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may be sent through use of a secure mode of transmission. In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may be coded for receipt by aspecific user126. In some embodiments, such code may include anonymous code that is specific for auser126. Accordingly, information included within one ormore signals118 may be protected against being accessed by others who are not the intended recipient.

Receiver

System

100 may include one or more receivers. In some embodiments, one or more receivers may be operably coupled to one ormore sensors108. In some embodiments, one or more receivers may be operably coupled to one or moreremote sensors120. In some embodiments, one or more receivers may be operably coupled to one ormore management units122. In some embodiments, one or more receivers may be operably coupled to one ormore control units106. In some embodiments, one or more receivers may be operably coupled to one ormore sensors108, one or moreremote sensors120, one ormore control units106, one ormore management units122, or substantially any combination thereof. Numerous types of receivers may be used in association withsystem100. Examples of such receivers include, but are not limited to, receivers that receive one or moreoptical signals118, radio signals118, wireless signals118,hardwired signals118,infrared signals118,ultrasonic signals118, and the like. Such receivers are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. RE39,785; 7,218,900; 7,254,160; 7,245,894; 7,206,605; herein incorporated by reference).

User Interface/User

System

100 may include numerous types of user interfaces124. For example, one ormore users126 may interact through use of numerous user interfaces124 that utilize hardwired methods, such as through use of an on/off switch, a push button, a keyboard, and the like. In some embodiments, the user interface124 may utilize wireless methods, such as methods that utilize a transmitter and receiver, utilize the internet, and the like.

User

Administration Form

In some embodiments, anadministration form128 may include an implant. In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be coupled to a structure that can be implanted within auser126. For example, in some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be coupled to a polymeric structure for implantation into a user126 (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,405,919; 6,451,337; 7,052,711: herein incorporated by reference, Smith et al., J. Med. Chem., 1:1148-1156 (1996)). In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be included within a porous structure and/or matrix for implantation into a user126 (e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No.: 20030039697; herein incorporated by reference). Such structures may be constructed from numerous materials that include, but are not limited to, polymers, ceramics, metals, and the like. In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be formulated for depot administration to auser126. For example, in some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be formulated with one or more biodegradable materials that degrade within auser126 to release the one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors110 (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,736,152; 6,143,314; 6,773,714; herein incorporated by reference). Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be included within a flowable material that forms an implant upon being injected into auser126.

In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be formulated with one or more additional agents. Examples of such agents include, but are not limited to, enzyme inhibitors, additional nitric oxide donors, free radical scavengers, and the like. In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be formulated with one or more light sources104 (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,152; herein incorporated by reference). In some embodiments, one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 may be formulated with one or more quantum dots (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,235,361; herein incorporated by reference).

FIG. 2 illustratesembodiment200 ofdevice102 withinsystem100. InFIG. 2, discussion and explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described example ofFIG. 1, and/or with respect to other examples and contexts. However, it should be understood that the modules may execute operations in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or modified versions ofFIG. 1. Also, although the various modules are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the various modules may be configured in numerous orientations.

FIG. 3 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment200 ofdevice102 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 2.FIG. 3 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule210. Additional embodiments may include an embodiment302, anembodiment304, an embodiment306, anembodiment308, anembodiment310, and/or anembodiment312.

At embodiment302,module210 may include one or more light emitters that are configured to selectively emit one or more wavelengths of light that correspond to the absorption maximum of the one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or more light emitters that are configured to selectively emit one or more wavelengths of light that correspond to the absorption maximum of one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. Examples of nitric oxide donors and their associated λ_max(nm) are provided in Table I below. Accordingly, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit numerous wavelengths of light.

TABLE I

Example Nitric Oxide Donors

Compound Name	λ_max(nm)

O²-(Acetoxymethyl) 1-(N,N-Diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	230
O²-(Acetoxymethyl) 1-(Pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	256
Sodium 1-(N-Benzyl-N-methylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	252
O²-[(2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl)-β-D-glucosyl] 1-[4-(2,3-	232
Dihydroxypropyl)piperazin-1
Sodium 1-[4-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)piperazin-1-yl-]diazen-1-ium-1,2-	248.5
diolate
O²-Methyl 1-[(4-Carboxamido)piperidin-1-yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	241
O²-(2-Chloropyrimidin-4-yl) 1-(Pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-	274
diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-[4-(N,N-Diethylcarboxamido)piperazin-1-	300
yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-(4-Nicotinylpiperazin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-	300
diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-{4-[2-(4-{2-	300
Methylpropyl}phenyl)propionyl]piperazin-1-yl}diazen-1-ium-1,2-
diolate
Sodium 1-(4-Benzyloxycarbonylpiperazin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-	252
diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-[4-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)piperazin-1-	299
yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-(4-Acetylpiperazin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-	394
diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-[4-(Succinimidoxycarbonyl)piperazin-1-	300
yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-(Piperazin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate,	297
Hydrochloride Salt
O²-(2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-D-glucopyranosyl) 1-(N,N-	228
Diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate
O²-(-D-Glucopyranosyl) 1-(N,N-Diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	228
Sodium (Z)-1-(N,N-Diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	250
1-[N-(2-Aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-	252
diolate
Sodium 1-(N,N-Dimethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	250
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-(N,N-Diethylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	302
1-[N-(3-Aminopropyl)-N-(3-ammoniopropyl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	252
1-[N-(3-Aminopropyl)-N-(3-ammoniopropyl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	252
Bis-diazeniumdiolated benzyl imidate dehydrate	264
p-Bisdiazeniumdiolated benzene	316
Methane Trisdiazeniumdiolate trihydrate	316
O²-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl) 1-(Isopropylamino)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	278
Sodium 1-[4-(5-Dimethylamino-1-naphthalenesulfonyl)piperazin-1-	344
yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate
1-(2-Methyl-1-propenyl)piperidine diazeniumdiolate	246
1-(2-Methyl-1-propenyl)pyrrolidine diazeniumdiolate	246
O²-Vinyl 1-(Pyrrolidin-1-yl)diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	268
1-{N-[3-Aminopropyl]-N-[4-(3-aminopropylammoniobutyl)]}diazen-	252
1-ium-1,2-diolate
Disodium 1-[(2-Carboxylato)pyrrolidin-1-yl]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	252
1-[N-(3-Ammoniopropyl)-N-(n-propyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate	250
(Z)-1-{N-Methyl-N-[6-(N-methylammoniohexyl)amino]}diazen-1-ium-1,2-	250
diolate
O²-(2,4-Dinitrophenyl) 1-[(4-Ethoxycarbonyl)piperazin-1-yl]diazen-1-	300
ium-1,2-diolate

Atembodiment304,module210 may include one or more light emitters that are configured to selectively emit one or more wavelengths of light that facilitate photodecomposition of the one or more photolyzable nitric oxide donors. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or more light emitters that are configured to selectively emit one or more wavelengths of light that facilitate photodecomposition of one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or more light emitters that emit one or more wavelengths of light that facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 but that do not emit one or more wavelengths of light that do not facilitate release of nitric oxide from the one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. In some embodiments, one or more light emitters may be configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 and to not emit one or more different wavelengths of light that may also facilitate release of nitric oxide from the one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. For example, in some embodiments, a photolyzablenitric oxide donor110 may release nitric oxide when illuminated with ultraviolet light and visible light. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more light emitters may be configured to emit visible light that facilitates release of nitric oxide and to not emit ultraviolet light which may cause damage to tissue associated with a user associated with the released nitric oxide. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit visible light (λ=550 nm) to facilitate homolytic decomposition of S-nitrosoglutathione to generate nitric oxide but not emit ultraviolet light (e.g., Singh et al., FEBS Letters, 360:47-51 (1995)). In some embodiments, ultraviolet light may be used to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit ultraviolet light (λ=355 nm) to release nitric oxide from S-nitrosothiols (e.g., Rotta et al., Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res., 36:587-594 (2003)). In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to emit light over a broad range of wavelengths that will facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. For example, in some embodiments, O²-benzyl substituted diazeniumdiolates, O²-napthylmethyl substituted diazeniumdiolates, and/or O²-napththylallyl substituted diazeniumdiolates may be photolyzed by light over a broad range of wavelengths (λ=254 nm to λ=700 nm) (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,122,529). Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or more light emitters may be configured to emit light that is paired with one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 to facilitate release of nitric oxide from the one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110.

Atembodiment308,module210 may include one or more light sources that are configured for implantation within a user. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or morelight sources104 that are configured for implantation within auser126. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured for implantation into the genital region of a male. In some embodiments, alight source104 may be configured to have a power source that may be implanted into the lower abdomen of a male and a light emitter that is configured for placement in the corpus cavernosa of the penis. In some embodiments, such alight source104 may be used to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 within the genital region. Accordingly, in some embodiments, such an implantedlight source104 may be configured for use in association with treatment of erectile dysfunction. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured for implantation in association with the vasculature of auser126. For example, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured for implantation in association with an implanted vascular stent. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 in the region of the vasculator that is associated with the implanted stent.Light sources104 may be configured for implantation in numerous ways.

Atembodiment310,module210 may include one or more light sources that are configured for external use. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or morelight sources104 that are configured for external use. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured as hand-held units that may be used to shine light onto a surface. For example, in some embodiments, alight source104 may be configured as a hand-helddevice102 that may be used to emit light onto the skin of an individual to facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured for association with one or more bandages, patches, body wraps, hoods, gloves, masks, clothing items, bags, and the like. Accordingly,light sources104 may be configured in numerous ways for external use.

Atembodiment312,module210 may include one or more light sources that are configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that are between 254 nm and 700 nm. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may include one or morelight sources104 that are configured to emit one or more wavelengths of light that are between 254 nm and 700 nm. For example, in some embodiments, alight source104 may be configured to emit ultraviolet light (λ=350 nm to 360 nm) to release nitric oxide from S-nitrosothiols and not emit other wavelengths of light (e.g., about 254 nm to about 349 nm and about 361 nm to about 700 nm). Accordingly, the emission of light from one or morelight sources104 may be coupled to wavelengths of light that facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. In some embodiments, one or morelight sources104 may be configured such that they do not emit one or more wavelengths of light that do not facilitate release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110.

FIG. 4 illustratesembodiment400 ofdevice102 withinsystem100. InFIG. 4, discussion and explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described example ofFIG. 1, and/or with respect to other examples and contexts. In some embodiments,module210 as described with respect toembodiment200 ofdevice102 ofFIG. 2 may correspond tomodule410 as described with respect toembodiment400 ofdevice102 withinsystem100. However, it should be understood that the modules may execute operations in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or modified versions ofFIG. 1. Also, although the various modules are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the various modules may be configured in numerous orientations.

Theembodiment400 may includemodule420 that includes one or more control units that are operably associated with the one or more light sources. In some embodiments,device102 may include one ormore control units106 that are operably associated with the one or morelight sources104. In some embodiments, the one ormore control units106 may be operably associated with one or morelight sources104 through use of a hardwired connection. In some embodiments, the one ormore control units106 may be operably associated with one or morelight sources104 through use of a wireless connection. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include numerous types of receivers. Examples of such receivers include, but are not limited to, receivers that receive one or moreoptical signals118, radio signals118, wireless signals118,hardwired signals118,infrared signals118,ultrasonic signals118, and the like. Such receivers are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. RE39,785; 7,218,900; 7,254,160; 7,245,894; 7,206,605; herein incorporated by reference).

FIG. 5 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment400 ofdevice102 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 4.FIG. 5 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule420. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment502, an embodiment504, anembodiment506, an embodiment508, and/or an embodiment510.

Atembodiment502,module420 may include one or more receivers that are configured to receive one or more information packets. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one or more receivers that are configured to receive one or more information packets. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may be configured to receive one or more information packets that include numerous types of information. Examples of such information include, but are not limited to, intensity of light to be emitted by one or morelight sources104, duration of light to be emitted by one or morelight sources104, frequency of light to be emitted by one or morelight sources104, wavelengths of light to be emitted by one or morelight sources104, and the like.

At embodiment504,module420 may include one or more receivers that are configured to receive one or more signals. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one or more receivers that are configured to receive one ormore signals118. Acontrol unit106 may include a receiver that is configured to receive numerous types ofsignals118. Examples ofsuch signals118 include, but are not limited to,optical signals118, radio signals118, wireless signals118,hardwired signals118,infrared signals118,ultrasonic signals118, and the like. In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may not be encrypted. In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may be encrypted. In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may be sent through use of a secure mode of transmission. In some embodiments, one ormore signals118 may be coded for receipt by aspecific user126. In some embodiments, such code may include anonymous code that is specific for auser126. Accordingly, information included within one ormore signals118 may be protected against being accessed by others who are not the intended recipient.

Atembodiment506,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate the one or more light sources. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate one or morelight sources104. One ormore control units106 may regulate numerous aspects of one or morelight sources104. Examples of such aspects include, but are not limited to, intensity of emitted light, duration of emitted light, pulse frequency of emitted light, wavelengths of emitted light, and the like.

At embodiment508,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate the one or more light sources in response to one or more programs. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate the one or morelight sources104 in response to one or more programs. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may be responsive to a programmed set of instructions. In some embodiments, the one ormore control units106 may be directly programmed. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include a programmable memory that can include instructions. In some embodiments, the one ormore control units106 may receive instructions from a program that is associated with one ormore management units122.

FIG. 6 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment400 ofdevice102 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 4.FIG. 6 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule420. Additional embodiments may include an embodiment602, an embodiment604, anembodiment606, anembodiment608, an embodiment610, and/or an embodiment612.

At embodiment602,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate intensity of light emitted by the one or more light sources. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate intensity of light emitted by one or morelight sources104. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may regulate the current flowing through alight source104 to regulate the intensity of light emitted from the light source. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include a potentiometer.

At embodiment604,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate one or more wavelengths of light emitted by the one or more light sources. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate one or more wavelengths of light emitted by one or morelight sources104. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may be coupled to alight source104 that includes numerous light emitting diodes that emit light of different wavelengths. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may regulate wavelengths of light emitted from thelight source104 by selectively illuminating light emitting diodes that emit the desired wavelengths of light.

Atembodiment606,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate duration of light emitted by the one or more light sources. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate the duration of light emitted by one or morelight sources104. For example, one ormore control units106 may cause one or morelight sources104 to emit light for a period of nanoseconds, microseconds, milliseconds, seconds, minutes, hours, days, and the like.

Atembodiment608,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate one or more pulse rates of light emitted by the one or more light sources. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate one or more pulse rates of light emitted by the one or morelight sources104. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may cause alight source104 to emit light in short pulses (e.g., nanosecond pulses, microsecond pulses). In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may cause alight source104 to emit light in medium pulses (e.g., second pulses, minute pulses). In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may cause alight source104 to emit light in medium pulses (e.g., hour pulses, day long pulses).

At embodiment610,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate energy associated with one or more pulses of light emitted by the one or more light sources. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate energy associated with one or more pulses of light emitted by the one or morelight sources104. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may regulate the current flowing through alight source104 to regulate the energy associated with one or more pulses of light emitted by the one or morelight sources104. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may regulate what wavelengths of light are emitted by alight source104 to regulate the energy associated with one or more pulses of light emitted by the one or morelight sources104.

At embodiment612,module420 may include one or more control units that regulate one or more times when light is emitted from the one or more light sources. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include one ormore control units106 that regulate one or more times when light is emitted from the one or morelight sources104. For example, in some embodiments, one or more control units may regulate when one or morelight sources104 start emitting light. In some embodiments, one or more control units may regulate when one or morelight sources104 stop emitting light. In some embodiments, one or more control units may regulate one or more clock times (e.g., 9:30 PM) when one or morelight sources104 emit light. In some embodiments, one or more control units may regulate one or more selected times (e.g., start in 20 minutes or stop in 20 minutes) when one or morelight sources104 emit light.

FIG. 7 illustratesembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100. InFIG. 7, discussion and explanation may be provided with respect to the above-described example ofFIG. 1, and/or with respect to other examples and contexts. In some embodiments,module210 as described with respect toembodiment200 ofdevice102 ofFIG. 2 may correspond tomodule710 as described with respect toembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100. In some embodiments,module420 as described with respect toembodiment400 ofdevice102 ofFIG. 4 may correspond tomodule720 as described with respect toembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100. However, it should be understood that the modules may execute operations in a number of other environments and contexts, and/or modified versions ofFIG. 1. Also, although the various modules are presented in the sequence(s) illustrated, it should be understood that the various modules may be configured in numerous orientations.

Theembodiment700 may includemodule720 that includes one or more control units that are operably associated with the one or more light sources. In some embodiments,device102 may include one ormore control units106 that are operably associated with the one or morelight sources104. In some embodiments, the one ormore control units106 may be operably associated with one or morelight sources104 through use of a hardwired connection. In some embodiments, the one ormore control units106 may be operably associated with one or morelight sources104 through use of a wireless connection. In some embodiments, one ormore control units106 may include numerous types of receivers. Examples of such receivers include, but are not limited to, receivers that receive one or moreoptical signals118, radio signals118, wireless signals118,hardwired signals118,infrared signals118,ultrasonic signals118, and the like. Such receivers are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. RE39,785; 7,218,900; 7,254,160; 7,245,894; 7,206,605; herein incorporated by reference).

Theembodiment700 may includemodule730 that includes one or more sensors that are operably associated with the one or more control units. In some embodiments,device102 may include one ormore sensors108 that are operably associated with the one ormore control units106. In some embodiments, the one ormore sensors108 may be operably associated with one ormore control units106 through use of a hardwired connection. In some embodiments, the one ormore sensors108 may be operably associated with the one ormore control units106 through use of a wireless connection. Numerous types ofsignals118 may be transmitted and received by one ormore sensors108 and one ormore control units106. Examples ofsuch signals118 include, but are not limited to,optical signals118, radio signals118, wireless signals118,hardwired signals118,infrared signals118,ultrasonic signals118, and the like.

FIG. 8 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 7.FIG. 8 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule730. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment802, an embodiment804, an embodiment806, an embodiment808, and/or an embodiment810.

Atembodiment802,module730 may include one or more sensors configured to detect nitric oxide. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that are configured to detect nitric oxide.Nitric oxide sensors108 may be configured in numerous ways. In some embodiments, asensor108 may be configured to utilize fluorescence to detect nitric oxide. For example, in some embodiments, asensor108 may detect nitric oxide through use of one or more fluorescent probes, such as 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (EMD Chemicals Inc., San Diego, Calif.). In some embodiments, asensor108 may detect nitric oxide through use of one or more electrodes. For example, in some embodiments, asensor108 may utilize an electrode that includes a single walled carbon nanotube and an ionic liquid to detect nitric oxide (e.g., Li et al., Electroanalysis, 18:713-718 (2006)). Numerous sensors are commercially available and have been described (e.g., World Precision Instruments, Inc., Sarasota, Fla., USA; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,100,096; 6,280,604; 5,980,705).

At embodiment804,module730 may include one or more sensors configured to detect one or more nitric oxide donors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that are configured to detect one or more nitric oxide donors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one or more surface plasmon resonance chemical electrodes that are configured to detect one or more nitric oxide donors. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one or more surface plasmon resonance chemical electrodes that include antibodies and/or aptamers that bind to one or more nitric oxide donors. Accordingly, such electrodes may be used to detect the one or more nitric oxide donors through use of surface plasmon resonance. Methods to construct surface plasmon resonance chemical electrodes are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,799; Lin et al., Applied Optics, 46:800-806 (2007)). In some embodiments, antibodies and/or aptamers that bind to one or more nitric oxide donors may be used within one or more micro-electro-mechanical systems to detect one or more nitric oxide donors. Methods to construct micro-electro-mechanical detectors have been described (e.g., Gau et al., Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 16:745-755 (2001)).

At embodiment808,module730 may include one or more sensors that are operably coupled to the one or more control units. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that are operably coupled to the one ormore control units106. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may be physically coupled to one ormore control units106. For example, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may be hardwired to one ormore control units106.

At embodiment810,module730 may include one or more sensors that are configured to transmit one or more information packets. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that are configured to transmit one or more information packets. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one or more transmitters. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include memory. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may gather information and then transmit the assembled information as one or more information packets. Examples of such information include, but are not limited to, nitric oxide concentrations, one or more concentrations of nitric oxide at one or more times, blood pressure, changes in blood pressure relative to time, pulse rate, and the like.

FIG. 9 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 7.FIG. 9 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule730. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment902, an embodiment904, an embodiment906, and/or an embodiment908.

Atembodiment902,module730 may include one or more sensors that are configured to transmit one or more signals. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that are configured to transmit one ormore signals118. Accordingly, in some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may transmit one ormore signals118 that include information associated with nitric oxide.

At embodiment904,module730 may include one or more sensors that include one or more electrochemical sensors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that include one or moreelectrochemical sensors108.Sensors108 may include numerous types ofelectrochemical sensors108. For example, in some embodiments, an electrochemical sensor may be configured as a nitric oxide specific electrode. In some embodiments, a nitric oxide specific electrode may include ruthenium and/or at least one oxide of ruthenium. Methods to construct such electrodes are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,280,604; 5,980,705). In some embodiments, asensor108 may include an amperometric sensor that includes a sensing electrode that is configured to oxidize nitric oxide complexes to generate an electrical current that indicates the concentration of nitric oxide. Methods to construct such electrodes are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Patent Application No.: 20070181444 and Ikeda et al., Sensors, 5:161-170 (2005)). Numerous types ofelectrochemical sensors108 may be associated with one or more sensors108 (e.g., Li et al., Electroanalysis, 18:713-718 (2006)). Electrodes that may be used to detect nitric oxide are commercially available (World Precision Instruments, Sarasota, Fla.). In some embodiments, such electrodes may be used to detect nitric oxide at concentrations of about 0.5 nanomolar and above, and may be about 100 micrometers in diameter (World Precision Instruments, Sarasota, Fla.).

At embodiment906,module730 may include one or more sensors that include one or more semiconductor sensors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that include one ormore semiconductor sensors108. In some embodiments, thesensor108 may be a molecular controlled semiconductor resistor of a multilayered GaAs structure to which a layer of multifunctional NO-binding molecules are adsorbed. Such nitric oxide binding molecules may include, but are not limited to, vicinal diamines, metalloporphyrins, metallophthalocyanines, and iron-dithiocarbamate complexes that contain at least one functional group selected from carboxyl, thiol, acyclic sulfide, cyclic disulfide, hydroxamic acid, trichlorosilane or phosphate (e.g., U.S. Published Patent Application No.: 20040072360). In some embodiments, asemiconductive sensor108 may employ a polycrystalline-oxide semiconductor material that is coated with porous metal electrodes to form a semiconductor sandwich. In some embodiments, the semiconductor material may be formed of SnO₂or ZnO. The porous electrodes may be formed with platinum and used to measure the conductivity of the semiconductor material. In some embodiments, the conductivity of the semiconductor material changes when nitric oxide is absorbed on the surface of the semiconductor material (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,433; International Application Publication Number WO 02/057738). One ormore sensors108 may include numerous other types ofsemiconductor sensors108.

At embodiment908,module730 may include one or more sensors that include one or more chemical sensors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that include one or morechemical sensors108. For example, in some embodiments; one ormore sensors108 may include one or morechemical sensors108 that include a reagent solution that undergoes a chemiluminescent reaction with nitric oxide. Accordingly, one or more photodetectors may be used to detect nitric oxide. Methods to construct such detectors are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,100,096). In some embodiments, ozone may be reacted with nitric oxide to produce light in proportion to the amount of nitric oxide present. The light produced may be measured with a photodetector. In some embodiments,sensors108 may include one or more charge-coupled devices to detect photonic emission.

FIG. 10 illustrates alternative embodiments ofembodiment700 ofdevice102 withinsystem100 ofFIG. 7.FIG. 10 illustrates example embodiments ofmodule730. Additional embodiments may include anembodiment1002, an embodiment1004, and/or anembodiment1006.

Atembodiment1002,module730 may include one or more sensors that include one or more fluorescent sensors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that include one or morefluorescent sensors108. In some embodiments, a fluorescent sensor may include one or more fluorescent probes that may be used to detect nitric oxide. For example, in some embodiments, 4,5-diaminofluorescein may be used to determine nitric oxide concentration (e.g., Rathel et al., Biol. Proced. Online, 5:136-142 (2003)). Probes that may be used to detect nitric oxide are commercially available (EMD Chemicals Inc., San Diego, Calif.).

At embodiment1004,module730 may include one or more sensors that include one or more micro-electro-mechanical systems. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that include one or more micro-electro-mechanical sensors108. In some embodiments, micro-electro-mechanical systems may be used to detect nitric oxide synthase. In some embodiments, antibodies and/or aptamers that bind to nitric oxide synthase may be used within one or more micro-electro-mechanical systems to detect nitric oxide synthase. Methods to construct micro-electro-mechanical detectors have been described (e.g., Gau et al., Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 16:745-755 (2001)). Accordingly, nitric oxide sensors may be configured in numerous ways to detect one or more nitric oxide synthases.

Atembodiment1006,module730 may include one or more sensors that include one or more Raman sensors. In some embodiments, one ormore sensors108 may include one ormore sensors108 that include one ormore Raman sensors108. Methods to use Raman spectroscopy to detect nitric oxide are known and have been described (e.g., U.S. Patent Application No.: 20060074282). In addition, Raman spectrometers are commercially available (e.g., Raman Systems, Austin, Tex. and B&W Tek, Inc., Newark, Del.).

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial view of asystem1100 that includes acomputer program1104 for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment ofsystem1100 is provided using a signal-bearing medium1102 bearing one or more instructions for operating one or morelight sources104 that are specifically configured to emit light that facilitates release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110. The one or more instructions may be, for example, computer executable and/or logic-implemented instructions. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1102 may include a computer-readable medium1106. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1102 may include arecordable medium1108. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1102 may include a communications medium1110.

FIG. 12 illustrates a partial view of asystem1200 that includes acomputer program1204 for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment ofsystem1200 is provided using a signal-bearing medium1202 bearing one or more instructions for operating one or morelight sources104 that are specifically configured to emit light that facilitates release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110 and one or more instructions for operating one ormore control units106 that are operably associated with the one or morelight sources104. The one or more instructions may be, for example, computer executable and/or logic-implemented instructions. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1202 may include a computer-readable medium1206. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1202 may include arecordable medium1208. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1202 may include a communications medium1210.

FIG. 13 illustrates a partial view of asystem1300 that includes acomputer program1304 for executing a computer process on a computing device. An embodiment ofsystem1300 is provided using a signal-bearing medium1302 bearing one or more instructions for operating one or morelight sources104 that are specifically configured to emit light that facilitates release of nitric oxide from one or more photolyzablenitric oxide donors110, one or more instructions for operating one ormore control units106 that are operably associated with the one or more light sources, and one or more instructions for operating one ormore sensors108 that are operably associated with the one ormore control units106. The one or more instructions may be, for example, computer executable and/or logic-implemented instructions. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1302 may include a computer-readable medium1306. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1302 may include a recordable medium1308. In some embodiments, the signal-bearing medium1302 may include a communications medium1310.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and/or firmware.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal-bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.).

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments described herein can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systems having a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range of components that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigid bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, and electro-magnetically actuated devices, or virtually any combination thereof. Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with a transducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, etc.), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment), and any non-electrical analog thereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include but are not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and communication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize that electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to a system that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except as context may dictate otherwise.

In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). Those having skill in the art will recognize that the subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common within the art to implement devices and/or processes and/or systems in the fashion(s) set forth herein, and thereafter use engineering and/or business practices to integrate such implemented devices and/or processes and/or systems into more comprehensive devices and/or processes and/or systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices and/or processes and/or systems described herein can be integrated into other devices and/or processes and/or systems via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those having skill in the art will recognize that examples of such other devices and/or processes and/or systems might include—as appropriate to context and application—all or part of devices and/or processes and/or systems of (a) an air conveyance (e.g., an airplane, rocket, hovercraft, helicopter, etc.), (b) a ground conveyance (e.g., a car, truck, locomotive, tank, armored personnel carrier, etc.), (c) a building (e.g., a home, warehouse, office, etc.), (d) an appliance (e.g., a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, etc.), (e) a communications system (e.g., a networked system, a telephone system, a voice-over IP system, etc.), (f) a business entity (e.g., an Internet Service Provider (ISP) entity such as Comcast Cable, Quest, Southwestern Bell, etc), or (g) a wired/wireless services entity (e.g., such as Sprint, Cingular, Nextel, etc.), etc.

Although the user interface124 is shown/described herein as a single illustrated figure that is associated with an individual, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a user interface124 may be utilized by auser126 that is a representative of ahuman user126, a robotic user126 (e.g., computational entity), and/or substantially any combination thereof (e.g., auser126 may be assisted by one or more robotic based systems). In addition, auser126 as set forth herein, although shown as a single entity may in fact be composed of two or more entities. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in general, the same may be said of “sender” and/or other entity-oriented terms as such terms are used herein.

The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable”, to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components.

All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing specification has been described in relation to certain embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein may be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.