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Respiratory humidifier

  • US 4,753,758 A
  • Filed: 04/02/1987
  • Issued: 06/28/1988
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/19/1983
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A humidifier assembly for humidifying a breathable gas, comprising:

  • a heater housing;

    heater means mounted on said heater housing, said heater means having an exposed heated surface for contacting liquid water in a direct heat transfer relationship therewith;

    a hollow shell, means on said shell and on said heater housing for removably fastening said shell to said housing, said housing including an inlet for breathable gas and an outlet for humidified breathable gas;

    a partition wall means at least partially formed by a hydrophobic filter means, in the hollow shell and defining together with the shell a humidification chamber that communicates with said gas inlet and said gas outlet, said filter means being positioned for passing water vapor into the breathable gas, and the partition wall together with said hollow shell and said housing defining a water-tight but water-vapor permeable liquid water reservoir between said filter means and said heated surface; and

    liquid water supply means connected to said hollow shell and communicating directly with said water-tight reservoir;

    said liquid water supply means providing liquid water in the water-tight reservoir and partially filling said reservoir and covering said heated surface, said heated surface converting a portion of said liquid water to water vapor, and a part of said reservoir above said liquid water receiving said water vapor, and said water vapor passing from the water-tight reservoir through said filter means and into said humidification chamber.

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