Abstract: A near-patient humidification system provides vapor to a respiratory breathing circuit. The system includes an expiratory gas conduit and an inspiratory gas conduit. A patient coupling member is provided for coupling the expiratory and inspiratory gas conduits to a patient interface. A vapor injection unit is located at least partially within the housing of the patient coupling member. The vapor injection unit heats a supply of fluid into vapor and injects the vapor into the inspiratory gas passage of the patient coupling member at a vapor injection location for providing moisture to the inspiratory gas flow. A method of simultaneously and independently controlling the temperature and humidity of inspiratory gas in a respiratory breathing circuit is performed by injecting vapor having a temperature determined as a function of measured temperatures and measured humidities of the breathing gas at different locations along the breathing circuit.

Abstract: A moisture removal apparatus for a breathing circuit may include a breathing gas conduit configured to receive a flow of breathing gas having a first humidity level. The apparatus may include a dry gas conduit adjacent to at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit, the dry gas conduit configured to receive a flow of dry gas having a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. The apparatus may also include a feeding conduit extending through at least a portion of the dry gas conduit, the feeding conduit configured to introduce the dry gas into the dry gas conduit. The apparatus may further include a moisture transmission pathway configured to enable transfer of moisture from the breathing gas to the dry gas based on the humidity differential.

Abstract: A moisture removal apparatus for a breathing circuit may include a breathing gas conduit configured to receive a flow of breathing gas having a first humidity level. The apparatus may include a dry gas conduit adjacent to at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit, the dry gas conduit configured to receive a flow of dry gas having a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. The apparatus may also include a feeding conduit extending through at least a portion of the dry gas conduit, the feeding conduit configured to introduce the dry gas into the dry gas conduit. The apparatus may further include a moisture transmission pathway configured to enable transfer of moisture from the breathing gas to the dry gas based on the humidity differential.

Abstract: A moisture removal and condensation and humidity management apparatus for a breathing circuit comprises a breathing circuit tubing defining a breathing gas conduit. The breathing gas has a first humidity level and a level of moisture therein. A dry gas conduit is adjacent at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit. The dry gas flow is configured to have a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. A moisture transmission pathway is provided between the breathing gas conduit and the dry gas conduit, such that humidity in the flow of breathing gas is lowered and moisture is transferred to the dry gas flow. The moisture transmission pathway may be provided by a permeable portion which is permeable to water vapor but impermeable to liquid water, or by one or more perforations which permit drainage of liquid water from the breathing gas conduit to the dry gas conduit.

Abstract: A moisture removal and condensation and humidity management apparatus for a breathing circuit includes a breathing circuit tubing defining a breathing gas conduit. The breathing gas has a first humidity level and a level of moisture therein. A dry gas conduit is adjacent at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit. The dry gas flow is configured to have a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. A moisture transmission pathway is provided between the breathing gas conduit and the dry gas conduit, such that humidity in the flow of breathing gas is lowered and moisture is transferred to the dry gas flow. The moisture transmission pathway may be provided by a permeable portion which is permeable to water vapor but impermeable to liquid water, or by one or more perforations which permit drainage of liquid water from the breathing gas conduit to the dry gas conduit.

Abstract: A respiratory filter and condensate management apparatus is provided for use in a breathing circuit during patient respiration. The apparatus includes a housing having an air inlet port for receiving a flow of respiratory air, and an air outlet port for outputting the flow of respiratory air to a ventilator. A filter compartment is provided within the housing and includes a filter member located in a flow path of the respiratory air from the air inlet port to the air outlet port. A condensate collection compartment is provided within the housing and includes at least one reservoir and at least one self-sealing drainage port. The reservoir collects liquid formed by condensation of the respiratory air within the filter compartment, and the drainage port allows removal of the collected liquid from the reservoir while the housing remains connected to the breathing circuit.

Abstract: A near-patient humidification system provides vapor to a respiratory breathing circuit. The system includes an expiratory gas conduit and an inspiratory gas conduit. A patient coupling member is provided for coupling the expiratory and inspiratory gas conduits to a patient interface. A vapor injection unit is located at least partially within the housing of the patient coupling member. The vapor injection unit heats a supply of fluid into vapor and injects the vapor into the inspiratory gas passage of the patient coupling member at a vapor injection location for providing moisture to the inspiratory gas flow. A method of simultaneously and independently controlling the temperature and humidity of inspiratory gas in a respiratory breathing circuit is performed by injecting vapor having a temperature determined as a function of measured temperatures and measured humidities of the breathing gas at different locations along the breathing circuit.

Abstract: A moisture removal apparatus for a breathing circuit may include a breathing gas conduit configured to receive a flow of breathing gas having a first humidity level. The apparatus may include a dry gas conduit adjacent to at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit, the dry gas conduit configured to receive a flow of dry gas having a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. The apparatus may also include a feeding conduit extending through at least a portion of the dry gas conduit, the feeding conduit configured to introduce the dry gas into the dry gas conduit. The apparatus may further include a moisture transmission pathway configured to enable transfer of moisture from the breathing gas to the dry gas based on the humidity differential.

Abstract: A near-patient humidification system provides vapor to a respiratory breathing circuit. The system includes an expiratory gas conduit and an inspiratory gas conduit. A patient coupling member is provided for coupling the expiratory and inspiratory gas conduits to a patient interface. A vapor injection unit is located at least partially within the housing of the patient coupling member. The vapor injection unit heats a supply of fluid into vapor and injects the vapor into the inspiratory gas passage of the patient coupling member at a vapor injection location for providing moisture to the inspiratory gas flow. A method of simultaneously and independently controlling the temperature and humidity of inspiratory gas in a respiratory breathing circuit is performed by injecting vapor having a temperature determined as a function of measured temperatures and measured humidities of the breathing gas at different locations along the breathing circuit.

Abstract: A moisture removal apparatus for a breathing circuit may include a breathing gas conduit configured to receive a flow of breathing gas having a first humidity level. The apparatus may include a dry gas conduit adjacent to at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit, the dry gas conduit configured to receive a flow of dry gas having a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. The apparatus may also include a feeding conduit extending through at least a portion of the dry gas conduit, the feeding conduit configured to introduce the dry gas into the dry gas conduit. The apparatus may further include a moisture transmission pathway configured to enable transfer of moisture from the breathing gas to the dry gas based on the humidity differential.

Abstract: A near-patient humidification system provides vapor to a respiratory breathing circuit. The system includes an expiratory gas conduit and an inspiratory gas conduit. A patient coupling member is provided for coupling the expiratory and inspiratory gas conduits to a patient interface. A vapor injection unit is located at least partially within the housing of the patient coupling member. The vapor injection unit heats a supply of fluid into vapor and injects the vapor into the inspiratory gas passage of the patient coupling member at a vapor injection location for providing moisture to the inspiratory gas flow. A method of simultaneously and independently controlling the temperature and humidity of inspiratory gas in a respiratory breathing circuit is performed by injecting vapor having a temperature determined as a function of measured temperatures and measured humidities of the breathing gas at different locations along the breathing circuit.

Abstract: A moisture removal apparatus for a breathing circuit may include a breathing gas conduit configured to receive a flow of breathing gas having a first humidity level. The apparatus may include a dry gas conduit adjacent to at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit, the dry gas conduit configured to receive a flow of dry gas having a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. The apparatus may also include a feeding conduit extending through at least a portion of the dry gas conduit, the feeding conduit configured to introduce the dry gas into the dry gas conduit. The apparatus may further include a moisture transmission pathway configured to enable transfer of moisture from the breathing gas to the dry gas based on the humidity differential.

Abstract: A respiratory mask for a medical patient including a shell and a flow coupling is disclosed. The shell includes an upper portion configured to cover a nose of the patient and a lower portion configured to cover a mouth of the patient, where an internal surface of the shell defines an interior volume of the respiratory mask. The flow coupling includes a body, a supply flow passage extending through the flow coupling, a scavenging flow passage extending through the flow coupling, and a septum within the body that separates the supply flow passage from the scavenging flow passage. The supply flow passage and the scavenging flow passage are fluidly coupled to an aperture that extends through the upper portion of the shell, and an aperture extending through the lower portion of the shell, respectively.

Abstract: A moisture removal and condensation and humidity management apparatus for a breathing circuit comprises a breathing circuit tubing defining a breathing gas conduit. The breathing gas has a first humidity level and a level of moisture therein. A dry gas conduit is adjacent at least a portion of the breathing gas conduit. The dry gas flow is configured to have a second humidity level lower than the first humidity level. A moisture transmission pathway is provided between the breathing gas conduit and the dry gas conduit, such that humidity in the flow of breathing gas is lowered and moisture is transferred to the dry gas flow. The moisture transmission pathway may be provided by a permeable portion which is permeable to water vapor but impermeable to liquid water, or by one or more perforations which permit drainage of liquid water from the breathing gas conduit to the dry gas conduit.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device for delivering an aerosol to a patient includes a nebulizer configured to generate an aerosol containing droplets of a liquid medicament, an inhalation conduit defining an inhalation passage, an exhalation conduit defining an exhalation passage, and a single-piece filter connected to the exhalation conduit configured to capture at least some of the droplets of the liquid medicament from a gaseous or fluid medium. The single-piece filter includes a continuous, single-piece filter body having a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the proximal portion of the filter body has a proximal end that defines an opening configured to connect to the exhalation conduit and the distal portion of the filter body has a closed distal end.

Abstract: A humidifier assembly includes a water supply reservoir; and a vessel defining a water holding cavity configured to hold water at a water level, and having an inlet adjacent to the bottom thereof, a respiratory gas inlet, a respiratory gas outlet, a gas pressure equalization port, a water level control port, and a water level control pipe communicating with said water level control port and configured to extend below the water level in the cavity. Tubing directs water from the water supply container to said humidifier vessel. Tubing also extends between the water supply container and gas pressure equalization port and water level control port. A first one-way valve is disposed along a pressure equalization flow path between the reservoir and cavity, which path includes the gas pressure equalization port, with third tubing extending therefrom to an opposite end disposed under the water level in the water holding cavity.

Abstract: A respiratory mask for a medical patient including a shell and a flow coupling is disclosed. The shell includes an upper portion configured to cover a nose of the patient and a lower portion configured to cover a mouth of the patient, where an internal surface of the shell defines an interior volume of the respiratory mask. The flow coupling includes a body, a supply flow passage extending through the flow coupling, a scavenging flow passage extending through the flow coupling, and a septum within the body that separates the supply flow passage from the scavenging flow passage. The supply flow passage and the scavenging flow passage are fluidly coupled to an aperture that extends through the upper portion of the shell, and an aperture extending through the lower portion of the shell, respectively.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube assembly is disclosed. The endotracheal tube assembly includes an elongate tube having an outer wall, and a first connector disposed on the outer wall. The outer wall defines a generally cylindrical elongate central lumen therein, an elongate suction lumen therein, and a first suction lumen aperture therethrough, the first suction lumen aperture being in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen. The first connector includes a first annular wall disposed within a second annular wall, where the first annular wall and the second annular wall extend away from a longitudinal axis of the elongate tube in a radial direction. An internal surface of the first annular wall defines a first flow passage, and a rim of the first annular wall defines a first connection aperture. The first connection aperture is in fluid communication with the elongate suction lumen through the first flow passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides in some embodiments, an endotracheal tube with subglottic secretion suction and a detachable suction line. The endotracheal tube is an elongate tube having an outer wall defining an elongate central lumen and an elongate suction lumen. An inflatable cuff is attached near a distal end of the elongate tube. The shoulder of the inflatable cuff is inverted in order to increase the diameter of the cuff from its distal end to its proximal end. The endotracheal tube also includes a connector to couple the suction lumen to a source of suction to remove subglottic secretions from the area above the cuff.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for automatically removing water or accumulated moisture from a breathing circuit. The device includes a housing with breathing circuit flow entry and exit ports and a water drainage port. A buoyant body in the housing can mate with a float valve seat to seal the drainage port, and is moveable to open the drainage port when sufficient liquid accumulates in the interior space. The buoyant body displaces a substantial portion of the housing inner compressible volume. Water is automatically removed by a water vapor permeable container coupled to the housing receiving flow from the drainage port, or the device is coupled to a source of suction, further including at least one bleed port fluidly coupling the source of suction to the surroundings, acting with a valve element to equalize any pressure differential between the housing interior space and suction connection, when no water is accumulated in the device.