1. A method of delivering a gas mixture containing an effective amount of nitric oxide, in combination with oxygen, to an infected site of a patient to reduce pathogen levels comprising the steps of:
providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen;
mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen;
providing a bathing unit around the infected site of the patient, the bathing unit forming a seal with the infected site of the patient;
transporting the gas mixture to the bathing unit so as to bathe the infected site of the patient with the gas mixture.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pathogen is at least one selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a parasite, an arthropod and a protozoan.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the pathogen is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the antibiotic-resistant bacteria is at least one selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterococci, and combinations thereof.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of evacuating at least a portion of the nitric oxide gas is evacuated from the bathing unit.
6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of removing at least a portion of the nitric oxide contained within the gas mixture that is evacuated from the bathing unit.
7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of controlling the flow rate of gas mixture into and out of the bathing unit.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of agitating the gas mixture within the bathing unit.
9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of directing the flow of gas mixture onto the infected site of the patient.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the infected site is a wound.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the infected site is an abscess.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the infected site is a lesion.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
15. A method to promote healing of an area of the body of a patient with a wound, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; and mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; and delivering gas mixture to the area of the body so as to bathe the wound with the gas mixture; and wherein the wound is infected by at least one type of pathogen.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the pathogen is at least one selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a parasite, an arthropod and a protozoan.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the pathogen is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the antibiotic-resistant bacteria is at least one selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterococci, and combinations thereof.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the area using a bathing unit surrounding the area.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
21. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of refreshing the area with a fresh supply of the gas mixture.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of refreshing utilizes an agitator.
23. The method of claim 15, wherein a jet of the gas mixture is delivered to the wound.
24. The method of claim 15, wherein the source of nitric oxide is a pressurized cylinder containing nitric oxide gas.
25. The method of claim 15, wherein the source of oxygen is a pressurized cylinder containing oxygen.
26. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of nitric oxide bathing the area.
27. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of nitrogen dioxide bathing the area.
28. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of oxygen bathing the area.
29. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of evacuating the gas mixture from the area.
30. The method of claim 15, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the wound at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
31. A method to promote healing of a lesion, the method comprising the steps on identifying the lesion on the body of a patient; providing a flow-controlled source of gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; and delivering the gas mixture to the lesion on the body of the patient; and wherein the lesion is infected by at least one type of pathogen.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the pathogen is at least one selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a parasite, an arthropod and a protozoan.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the pathogen is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the antibiotic-resistant bacteria is at least one selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterococci, and combinations thereof.
35. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of sealing the gas mixture.
36. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of diluting the gas mixture.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein the nitric oxide gas flows from a pressurized cylinder containing nitric oxide gas.
38. The method of claim 31, wherein the oxygen gas flows from a pressurized cylinder containing oxygen gas.
39. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of adjusting the pressure of the gas mixture delivered to the lesion.
40. The method of claim 31, further comprising evacuating the gas mixture at a flow rate substantially equal to a flow rate of the gas mixture delivered to the lesion.
41. The method of claim 31, wherein the lesion is a wound.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
43. The method of claim 31, wherein the lesion is an abscess.
44. The method of claim 31, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the lesion at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
45. A method to promote healing of a lesion, the method comprising the steps of: identifying the lesion in the body of a patient; providing a flow-controlled source of gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; and delivering the gas mixture to the lesion in the body of the patient; and wherein the lesion is infected by at least one type of pathogen.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the pathogen is at least one selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a parasite, an arthropod and a protozoan.
47. The method of claim 45, wherein the pathogen is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the antibiotic-resistant bacteria is at least one selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterococci, and combinations thereof.
49. The method of claim 45 further comprising the step of diluting the gas mixture.
50. The method of claim 45, wherein the source of nitric oxide gas is a pressurized cylinder containing nitric oxide gas.
51. The method of claim 45, wherein the source of oxygen gas is a pressurized cylinder containing oxygen gas.
52. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of adjusting the pressure of the gas mixture delivered to the lesion.
53. The method of claim 45, further comprising evacuating the gas mixture at a flow rate substantially equal to a flow rate of the gas mixture delivered to the lesion.
54. The method of claim 45, wherein the lesion is a wound.
55. The method of claim 54, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
56. The method of claim 45, wherein the lesion is an abscess.
57. The method of claim 45, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the lesion at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
58. A method to promote healing of a lesion on or in the body of a patient, the method comprising the steps of: providing a source of gas containing nitric oxide and a source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; diluting the gas mixture; and delivering the diluted gas mixture to the lesion; wherein the lesion is infected by at least one type of pathogen.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein the pathogen is at least one selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a parasite, an arthropod and a protozoan.
60. The method of claim 58, wherein the pathogen is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein the antibiotic-resistant bacteria is at least one selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterococci, and combinations thereof.
62. The method of claim 58, wherein the step of mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen is performed using a gas blender.
63. The method of claim 58, wherein the gas mixture delivered to the lesion is flow controlled.
64. The method of claim 58, wherein the step of diluting the gas mixture further comprises the step of delivering a dilutant gas to a sealed area over the lesion.
65. The method of claim 58, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of nitric oxide being delivered.
66. The method of claim 65, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of oxygen being delivered.
67. The method of claim 58, wherein the lesion is a wound.
68. The method of claim 67, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
69. The method of claim 58, wherein the lesion is an abscess.
70. The method of claim 58, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the lesion at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
71. A method of treating an infected site by exposure to a gas mixture containing nitric oxide and oxygen, comprising the steps of providing a source of gas containing nitric oxide and a source of gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; delivering the gas mixture to the infected site so as to bathe the infected site with the gas mixture; and wherein the infected site is infected by at least one type of pathogen.
72. The method of claim 71, wherein the pathogen is at least one selected from the group consisting of a bacterium, a virus, a fungus, a parasite, an arthropod and a protozoan.
73. The method of claim 71, wherein the pathogen is an antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein the antibiotic-resistant bacteria is at least one selected from the group consisting of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coil, Salmonella, Klebsiella, Enterococci, and combinations thereof.
75. The method of claim 71, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site using a bathing unit surrounding the infected site.
76. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of refreshing the infected site with a fresh supply of the gas mixture.
77. The method of claim 71, wherein a jet of the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site.
78. The method of claim 71, wherein the source of nitric oxide gas is a pressurized cylinder containing nitric oxide gas.
79. The method of claim 71, wherein the source of oxygen gas is a pressurized cylinder containing oxygen gas.
80. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of nitric oxide bathing the infected site.
81. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of oxygen bathing the infected site.
82. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of nitrogen dioxide bathing the infected site.
83. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of evacuating the gas mixture from the area surrounding the infected site.
84. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of stripping nitric oxide from the evacuated gas mixture.
85. The method of claim 71, further comprising the step of stripping nitrogen dioxide from the evacuated gas mixture.
86. The method of claim 71, wherein the infected site is a wound.
87. The method of claim 86, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
88. The method of claim 71, wherein the infected site is an abscess.
89. The method of claim 71, wherein the infected site is a lesion.
90. The method of claim 71, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
91. A method of treating an infected site by exposure to a gas mixture comprising the steps of: providing a source of gas containing nitric oxide and a source of gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; delivering the gas mixture to the infected site so as to bathe the infected site with the gas mixture; evacuating the gas mixture from the area surrounding the infected site; and stripping nitric oxide from the evacuated gas mixture.
92. The method of claim 91, wherein the infected site is a wound.
93. The method of claim 92, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
94. The method of claim 91, wherein the infected site is an abscess.
95. The method of claim 91, wherein the infected site is a lesion.
96. The method of claim 91, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
97. A method of treating an infected site with a gas mixture comprising the steps of: providing a source of gas containing nitric oxide and a source of gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; delivering the gas mixture to the infected site so as to bathe the infected site with the gas mixture; evacuating the gas mixture from the area surrounding the infected site; and stripping nitric dioxide from the evacuated gas mixture.
98. The method of claim 97, wherein the step of refreshing utilizes an agitator.
99. The method of claim 97, wherein the infected site is a wound.
100. The method of claim 99, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
101. The method of claim 97, wherein the infected site is an abscess.
102. The method of claim 97, wherein the infected site is a lesion.
103. The method of claim 97, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
104. A method of treating an infected site comprising the steps of: identifying the infected site on or in a human; providing a flow-controlled source of gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; and delivering the gas mixture to at least a portion of the infected site.
105. The method of claim 104, further comprising the step of sealing the gas mixture.
106. The method of claim 104, further comprising the step of diluting the gas mixture with a dilutant gas.
107. The method of claim 104, wherein the flow-controlled source of nitric oxide gas flows from a pressurized cylinder containing nitric oxide gas.
108. The method of claim 104, further comprising the step of adjusting the pressure of the gas mixture delivered to the infected site.
109. The method of claim 104, further comprising evacuating the gas mixture at a flow rate substantially equal to a flow rate of the gas mixture delivered to the infected site.
110. The method of claim 104, wherein the step of refreshing utilizes an agitator.
111. The method of claim 104, wherein the infected site is a wound.
112. The method of claim 111, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
113. The method of claim 104, wherein the infected site is an abscess.
114. The method of claim 104, wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site at a pressure greater than 1 atmosphere.
115. A method of treating an infected site by exposure to a gas mixture comprising the steps of: providing a source of gas containing nitric oxide and a source of gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; diluting the gas mixture with a dilutant gas; delivering the diluted gas mixture to at least a portion of the infected site.
116. The method of claim 115, wherein the step of mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen is performed using a gas blender.
117. The method of claim 115, wherein the gas mixture delivered to the infected site is flow controlled.
118. The method of claim 115, wherein the step of diluting the gas mixture further comprises the step of delivering the dilutant gas to a sealed area over the infected site.
119. The method of claim 115, further comprising the step of monitoring the concentration of nitric oxide being delivered.
120. The method of claim 115, further comprising the step of refreshing the gas mixture utilizing an agitator.
121. The method of claim 115, wherein the infected site is a wound.
122. The method of claim 121, wherein the wound is at least one selected from the group consisting of a surgical wound, a trauma wound and a burn.
123. The method of claim 115, wherein the infected site is an abscess.
124. A method of delivering a gas mixture to an infected site of a patient to reduce pathogen levels comprising the steps of: providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; providing a bathing unit around the infected site of the patient, the bathing unit forming a seal with the infected site of the patient; transporting the gas mixture to the bathing unit so as to bathe the infected site of the patient with the gas mixture; controlling the flow rate of the gas mixture into and out of the bathing unit; agitating the gas mixture within the bathing unit; directing the flow of gas mixture onto the infected site of the patient; actively or passively evacuating at least a portion of the gas mixture from the bathing unit; and removing at least a portion of the nitric oxide contained within the gas mixture that is evacuated from the bathing unit.
125. A method to promote healing of an area of the body of a patient with a wound, the method comprising the steps of: providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; and delivering the gas mixture to the area of the body so as to bathe the wound; wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the area using a bathing unit surrounding the area; wherein the gas mixture bathing the area is refreshed utilizing an agitator; wherein the wound is infected by at least one type of pathogen; wherein the source of gas containing nitric oxide is a pressurized cylinder containing nitric oxide gas; wherein the source of gas containing oxygen is a pressurized cylinder containing oxygen; wherein the concentration of nitric oxide bathing the area is monitored; wherein the concentration of nitrogen dioxide bathing the area is monitored; wherein the concentration of oxygen bathing the area is monitored; and wherein the gas mixture is evacuated from the area.
126. A method to promote healing of a lesion, the method comprising the steps of: identifying the lesion on the body of a patient; providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; and delivering the gas mixture to the lesion on the body of the patient; wherein the lesion is infected by at least one type of pathogen; wherein the delivery area of the gas mixture is sealed to prevent contact with air in the atmosphere; wherein the source of gas containing nitric oxide is a pressurized cylinder; wherein the source of gas containing oxygen is a pressurized cylinder; wherein the pressure of the gas mixture delivered to the lesion is adjusted; and wherein the gas mixture is evacuated at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate that the gas mixture is delivered to the lesion.
127. A method of treating an infected site by exposure to a gas mixture comprising the steps of: providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; and delivering the gas mixture to the infected site so as to bathe the infected site with the gas mixture; wherein the infected site is infected by at least one type of pathogen; wherein the gas mixture is delivered to the infected site using a bathing unit surrounding the infected site; wherein the gas mixture bathing the infected site is refreshed with a fresh supply of the gas mixture; wherein a jet of gas mixture is delivered to the infected site; wherein the source of gas containing nitric oxide is a pressurized cylinder; wherein the source of gas containing oxygen is a pressurized cylinder; wherein the concentration of nitric oxide bathing the infected site is monitored; wherein the concentration of oxygen bathing the infected site is monitored; wherein the concentration of nitrogen dioxide bathing the infected site is monitored; wherein the gas mixture bathing the infected site is evacuated; wherein nitric oxide is stripped from the evacuated gas mixture; and wherein nitrogen dioxide is stripped from the evacuated gas mixture.
128. A method of treating an infected site with a gas containing 10,000 ppm nitric oxide, in combination with 20% oxygen, comprising the steps of providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; delivering the gas mixture to the infected site so as to bathe the infected site with the gas mixture; evacuating the gas mixture from the area surrounding the infected site; stripping nitric dioxide from the evacuated gas mixture; and refreshing the gas mixture utilizing an agitator.
129. A method of treating an infected site comprising the steps of: identifying the infected site on or in a human; providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; delivering the gas mixture to at least a portion of the infected site; sealing the delivery area to prevent contact with air in the atmosphere; wherein the source of the gas containing nitric oxide is a pressurized cylinder; wherein the source of the gas containing oxygen is a pressurized cylinder; wherein the pressure of the gas mixture delivered to the infected site is adjusted; evacuating the gas mixture at a flow rate substantially equal to the flow rate of the gas mixture delivered to the infected site; refreshing the gas mixture bathing the infected site utilizing an agitator.
130. A method of treating an infected site by exposure to gas mixture comprising the steps of: providing a flow-controlled source of a gas containing nitric oxide and a flow-controlled source of a gas containing oxygen; mixing the gas containing nitric oxide with the gas containing oxygen, wherein the gas mixture contains at least about 10,000 ppm nitric oxide and at least about 20% oxygen; diluting the gas mixture; delivering the diluted gas mixture to at least a portion of the infected site; wherein the step of diluting the gas mixture is performed using a gas blender; wherein the gas mixture delivered to the infected site is flow controlled; wherein the step of diluting the gas mixture further comprises the step of delivering the gas mixture to a sealed area over the infected site; monitoring the concentration of nitric oxide being delivered; monitoring the concentration of oxygen being delivered; and refreshing the gas mixture bathing the infected site utilizing an agitator.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A method of returning information from a database search comprising:
creating an index list with positional counters in nodes for a first subindex;
maintaining for each entry an aggregate value of information in a second subindex for entries before each entry;
traversing the index list and obtaining a first aggregate value for all entries before a first value of the first subindex;
traversing the index list and obtaining a second aggregate value for a first entry after the first value of the first subindex;
subtracting the first aggregate value from the second aggregate value to identify the aggregate of the second subindex for entries with the same value in the first subindex;
returning to the user a response based on the subtracting.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the aggregate value is a sum of values in the second subindex.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining the number of items with the first value, and using the aggregate sum and number of items to determine an average.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the aggregate value is a sum of squares of values in the second subindex.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the index information is maintained in a B*tree index.
6. A database system for implementing the method of claim 1.
7. The database of claim 6, wherein the aggregate value is a sum of values in the second subindex.
8. The database of claim 7, further comprising determining the number of items with the first value, and using the aggregate sum and number of items to determine an average.
9. The database of claim 6, wherein the aggregate value is a sum of squares of values in the second subindex.
10. The database of claim 6, wherein the index information is maintained in a B*tree index.