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: A base unit for use in a breathing gas heating and humidification apparatus includes a gas source configured to generate an initial gas flow, the gas source having a gas source outlet and a flow divider in fluid communication with the gas source outlet. The flow divider is configured to divide the initial gas flow into a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas. The flow divider includes a first compartment including a first gas flow path for the first flow of gas and a second compartment including a second gas flow path for the second flow of gas. A heater is disposed in the second compartment. A method for use in generating breathing gas and insulating gas from a gas source 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: A device and system for delivering breathing gas to a patient is disclosed. The device includes a single nasal prong insertable into a nare. The single nasal prong is sized to allow gas passage between the single nasal prong and the nare. The device also includes a lumen in fluid communication with the single nasal prong. A method of delivering breathing gas to the patient is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for delivering a humidified gas to a patient is disclosed. The system includes a supply tube having a first supply tube end and a second supply tube end. The supply tube has a first inner diameter. The system also includes an apparatus for delivering heated and humidified gas to the first end of the supply tube and a single lumen having a first lumen end and a second lumen end. The single lumen has a second inner diameter, smaller than the first diameter. The first lumen end is in fluid flow communication with the second supply tube end. The system also includes a nasal cannula in fluid flow communication with the second lumen end. A method of delivering heated and humidified gas to a patient is also disclosed.

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: 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.