Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

Abstract: A humidification canister for humidifying a breathing gas, the humidification canister includes a fluid supply configured to supply a fluid and a first gas flow path in fluid communication with the fluid supply. A first gas flow path is configured to humidify the breathing gas with the fluid. A second gas flow path at least partially surrounds the first gas flow path. A method of insulating a breathing gas in a humidification canister using a gas is also disclosed.

Abstract: A delivery tube assembly for delivering a breathing gas to a patient, the delivery tube includes a first lumen having an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The lumen is configured to deliver the breathing gas from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A second lumen is configured to flow an insulating gas around the first lumen. A method of insulating a breathing gas with an insulating gas and discharging the insulating gas to atmosphere is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing breathing gas to a patient that includes a base unit to provide a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas and a humidification canister to be coupled to the base unit is described. The humidification canister includes a first gas flow path to receive and humidify the first flow of gas. A delivery tube assembly includes a first lumen configured for fluid communication with the first gas flow path to receive the humidified first flow of gas and a second lumen to receive the second flow of gas. A method of heating and humidifying the first flow of gas and insulating the first flow of gas with the second flow of gas is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the work of breathing. Heated and humidified air is delivered through a nasal cannula to the nasal passageway of a patient at a flow rate above 20 liters/min thereby reducing inspiratory work.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering water vapor to a gas is formed from a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each defining a passage for the flow of gas from an upstream end of the passage and enclosed by an enclosure. The hollow fiber membranes have a combined surface area in the range of about 90 square centimeters to about 110 square centimeters. The enclosure contains an air inlet positioned to direct air to the upstream end of each of the passages of the hollow fiber membranes and an air outlet positioned to direct air from the downstream end of each of the passages of the hollow fiber membranes. The enclosure preferably has a water inlet positioned to direct water toward the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes and a water outlet positioned to direct water from the enclosure.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

Abstract: A delivery tube assembly for delivering a breathing gas to a patient, the delivery tube includes a first lumen having an upstream portion and a downstream portion. The lumen is configured to deliver the breathing gas from the upstream portion to the downstream portion. A second lumen is configured to flow an insulating gas around the first lumen. A method of insulating a breathing gas with an insulating gas and discharging the insulating gas to atmosphere is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing breathing gas to a patient that includes a base unit to provide a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas and a humidification canister to be coupled to the base unit is described. The humidification canister includes a first gas flow path to receive and humidify the first flow of gas. A delivery tube assembly includes a first lumen configured for fluid communication with the first gas flow path to receive the humidified first flow of gas and a second lumen to receive the second flow of gas. A method of heating and humidifying the first flow of gas and insulating the first flow of gas with the second flow of gas is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delivering heated and humidified air to the respiratory tract of a human patient for respiratory tract therapy and treatment. The apparatus includes a supply unit and a delivery tube that can be releasably connected to the supply unit. Methods of respiratory tract therapy and treatment are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delivering heated and humidified air to the respiratory tract of a human patient for respiratory tract therapy and treatment. The apparatus includes a supply unit (11) and a delivery tube (28) that can be releasably connected to the supply unit (11). Methods of respiratory tract therapy and treatment are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering water vapor to a gas is formed from a plurality of hollow fiber membranes each defining a passage for the flow of gas from an upstream end of the passage and enclosed by an enclosure. The hollow fiber membranes have a combined surface area in the range of about 90 square centimeters to about 110 square centimeters. The enclosure contains an air inlet positioned to direct air to the upstream end of each of the passages of the hollow fiber membranes and an air outlet positioned to direct air from the downstream end of each of the passages of the hollow fiber membranes. The enclosure preferably has a water inlet positioned to direct water toward the outer surfaces of the hollow fiber membranes and a water outlet positioned to direct water from the enclosure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing the work of breathing. Heated and humidified air is delivered through a nasal cannula to the nasal passageway of a patient at a flow rate above 20 liters/min thereby reducing inspiratory work.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delivering heated and humidified air to the respiratory tract of a human patient for respiratory tract therapy and treatment. The apparatus includes a supply unit (11) and a delivery tube (28) that can be releasably connected to the supply unit (11). Methods of respiratory tract therapy and treatment are also provided.