Abstract: An apparatus for conditioning gas for use in a medical procedure, such as endoscopy, the gas being received into the apparatus from a gas source. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber having an entry port and an exit port. A humidification means comprising at least one water-retainer layer is disposed within the chamber in the path of travel of the gas for humidifying the gas as it passes through the chamber. A humidity sensor is disposed within the chamber that senses the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber. A monitoring circuit is connected to the humidity sensor that detects when the chamber requires a recharge of liquid based on the humidity of the gas in the chamber, and generates a recharge signal indicative thereof. A charging port on the housing provides access into the chamber to recharge the chamber with water. A heating element and temperature sensor are also disposed within the chamber. A control circuit further regulates the temperature of the gas exiting the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for treating gas prior to its use in a medical procedure comprising a housing that receives gas from an insufflator, a chamber within the housing having a humidification means, a heating means disposed within the humidification means, a filtering means within the humidification means, a means for sensing the temperature of the heated and humidified gas, and a controlling means connected to the sensing means to maintain the temperature of the gas to a predetermined temperature. Additionally provided are methods of providing heated, humidified and filtered gas to a patient at a predetermined temperature.