Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensation in a respiratory circuit during a delivery of humidifying agent into the respiratory circuit. A first amount of humidification agent to a first volume of gas is delivered to a patient respiratory circuit during a patient inhalation cycle or immediately after a patient exhalation cycle, and the humidification agent or the first volume of gas is heated. Condensation is removed from the respiratory circuit at least in part by providing, during a patient exhalation cycle or immediately after a patient inhalation cycle, a second amount of the humidification agent to a second volume of gas being delivered from the gas source to the patient respiratory circuit, the second amount of the humidification agent being significantly less than the first amount of the humidification agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensation in a respiratory circuit during a delivery of humidifying agent into the respiratory circuit. A first amount of humidification agent to a first volume of gas is delivered to a patient respiratory circuit during a patient inhalation cycle or immediately after a patient exhalation cycle, and the humidification agent or the first volume of gas is heated. Condensation is removed from the respiratory circuit at least in part by providing, during a patient exhalation cycle or immediately after a patient inhalation cycle, a second amount of the humidification agent to a second volume of gas being delivered from the gas source to the patient respiratory circuit, the second amount of the humidification agent being significantly less than the first amount of the humidification agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensation in a respiratory circuit during a delivery of humidifying agent into the respiratory circuit. A first amount of humidification agent to a first volume of gas is delivered to a patient respiratory circuit during a patient inhalation cycle or immediately after a patient exhalation cycle, and the humidification agent or the first volume of gas is heated. Condensation is removed from the respiratory circuit at least in part by providing, during a patient exhalation cycle or immediately after a patient inhalation cycle, a second amount of the humidification agent to a second volume of gas being delivered from the gas source to the patient respiratory circuit, the second amount of the humidification agent being significantly less than the first amount of the humidification agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing condensed humidifying agent in a humidification system by pulsing a delivery of humidifying agent into a respiratory circuit. During a non-pulsed interval, gas flowing through the respiratory circuit will evaporate the condensed humidifying agent present in the respiratory circuit. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for delivering humidified gas to a patient, wherein the delivery avoids the problems associated with a stationary water humidifier. In the method, the delivery of humidifying agent is precisely controlled to deliver a flow of humidifying agent to a volume of gas.

Abstract: A heater wire including at least one extending component disposed thereon. The heater wire is positioned within a respiratory gas conduit. The heater wire may include a wire component and a groove that extends along a length of the heater wire. The heater wire may also include threads extending from an outer surface of the heater wire that faces away from the wire component. The threads may be woven or braided threads.

Abstract: A heater wire for removing condensation from a respiratory gas conduit is provided. The heater wire includes at least one groove disposed thereon. The heater wire is positioned in a respiratory gas conduit. The groove may wick up water from a condensation region within the respiratory gas conduit and transport the wicked up water from the condensation region to a re-evaporation region. The wicked up water may be evaporated by a hot surface of the wire.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing condensed humidifying agent in a humidification system by pulsing a delivery of humidifying agent into a respiratory circuit. During a non-pulsed interval, gas flowing through the respiratory circuit will evaporate the condensed humidifying agent present in the respiratory circuit. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for delivering humidified gas to a patient, wherein the delivery avoids the problems associated with a stationary water humidifier. In the method, the delivery of humidifying agent is precisely controlled to deliver a flow of humidifying agent to a volume of gas.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing condensed humidifying agent in a humidification system by pulsing a delivery of humidifying agent into a respiratory circuit. During a non-pulsed interval, gas flowing through the respiratory circuit will evaporate the condensed humidifying agent present in the respiratory circuit. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for delivering humidified gas to a patient, wherein the delivery avoids the problems associated with a stationary water humidifier. In the method, the delivery of humidifying agent is precisely controlled to deliver a flow of humidifying agent to a volume of gas.

Abstract: A heater wire including at least one extending component disposed thereon. The heater wire is positioned within a respiratory gas conduit.

Abstract: A heater wire for removing condensation from a respiratory gas conduit. The heater wire includes at least one groove disposed thereon. The heater wire is positioned in a respiratory gas conduit.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchange unit for use with a patient breathing circuit. The unit includes a housing, an MDI port assembly and a heat and moisturizing medium. The housing forms a patient-side port, a ventilator-side port, and a containment region between the patient-side port and the ventilator-side port. The MDI port assembly includes a frame projecting into the containment region and configured to receive a portion of a metered dose dispenser. The frame terminates at an outlet end, forming a flow passage. The heat and moisturizing medium is maintained within the containment region so as to define a medium face most proximate the outlet end of the MDI port assembly. The unit is characterized by the absence of a body between the outlet end and the medium face.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing condensed humidifying agent in a humidification system by pulsing a delivery of humidifying agent into a respiratory circuit. During a non-pulsed interval, gas flowing through the respiratory circuit will evaporate the condensed humidifying agent present in the respiratory circuit. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for delivering humidified gas to a patient, wherein the delivery avoids the problems associated with a stationary water humidifier. In the method, the delivery of humidifying agent is precisely controlled to deliver a flow of humidifying agent to a volume of gas.

Abstract: A conduit for carrying humidified gases includes a tube extending between a first end and a second end and a helical wire positioned in the tube. The helical wire is formed of a conductive core defining a shape of the helical wire. An electrical receptacle is positioned at the first end of the tube and electrically coupled to the communication ends of the helical wire.

Abstract: An HME unit including a housing, an HM media, and a check valve assembly. The housing forms a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section defining first and second flow paths fluidly connecting the first and second ports. The HM media is maintained within the intermediate section along the second flow path. The check valve assembly includes an obstruction member movably positioned within the intermediate section to selectively provide opened and closed positions. In the opened position, the first flow path is open relative to the obstruction member. In the closed position, the obstruction member closes the first flow path. In one mode, the obstruction member transitions to the opened position in response to gas flow in a flow direction from the second port toward the first port, and transitions to the closed position in response to gas flow in an opposite flow direction.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit including a housing, a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media), and a valve mechanism. The housing forms an intermediate section extending between two ports, and defining first and second flow paths. The HM media is maintained along the first flow path. The valve mechanism includes an obstruction member movably retained within the housing and transitionable between opposing, first and second maximum points of travel. At the first maximum point of travel, the obstruction member closes the second flow path to permit airflow through only the first flow path. At the second maximum point of travel, the obstruction member permits airflow through both of the first and second flow paths. The HME unit is simple to use, yet provides an effective bypass state in which airflow freely progresses around the HM media.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchange (HME) unit including a housing, a heat and moisture retaining media (HM media), and a resistance indicator. The housing forms a first port, a second port, and an intermediate section. The intermediate section extends between the first and second ports, and defines a flow path fluidly connecting the first and second ports. The HM media is maintained within the intermediate section along the flow path. The resistance indicator is carried by the housing and is fluidly connected to the first port. In this regard, a visual appearance of the resistance indicator changes as a function of pressure within the housing to visually alert a caregiver as to possible existence of an excessive pressure differential condition within the HME unit.

Abstract: A heat and moisture exchange unit for use with a patient breathing circuit. The unit includes a housing, an MDI port assembly and a heat and moisturizing medium. The housing forms a patient-side port, a ventilator-side port, and a containment region between the patient-side port and the ventilator-side port. The MDI port assembly includes a frame projecting into the containment region and configured to receive a portion of a metered dose dispenser. The frame terminates at an outlet end, forming a flow passage. The heat and moisturizing medium is maintained within the containment region so as to define a medium face most proximate the outlet end of the MDI port assembly. The unit is characterized by the absence of a body between the outlet end and the medium face.