Microprocessor controlled flow regulated molecular humidifier
First Claim
1. A humidification system for humidifying breathable gas supplied to a patient by a medical gas delivery device having inhalation tubing connecting from the device to provide a flow of gas to the patient and exhalation tubing extending from the patient, the system comprising:
- a humidifier comprising blotting paper to absorb the water and disposed in the path of flow of the inhalation tubing adjacent to the patient;
delivery means for delivering water to the blotting paper;
measurement means capable of measuring at least two parameters;
a regulation means for regulating the delivery means based on the measured parameters so that an appropriate amount of water is delivered to the blotting paper to achieve a desired humidity level in the gas, said humidifier, said delivery means, said measurement means and said regulation means together providing a gas having a molecular humidity substantially free of particulate water droplets at a humidity level in the range from approximately 28 to approximately 31 mg H2 O/l gas at approximately 37°
C.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A humidification system humidifies breathable gas that is supplied to a patient with a ventilator or an anesthesia circuit having inhalation tubing connecting from the ventilator to the patient and exhalation tubing extending from the patient. The humidification system includes a blotting paper humidifier disposed in the inhalation tubing adjacent to the patient. Piping carries an amount of water from a reservoir to the humidifier, and the amount of water delivered to the humidifier is limited by a controllable pulsing valve disposed in the piping. A measurement device measures at least two parameters, and a regulation device regulates the pulsing valve as a function of the measured parameters so that an appropriate amount of water is delivered to the blotting paper to achieve a desired humidity level in the gas.
253 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A humidification system for humidifying breathable gas supplied to a patient by a medical gas delivery device having inhalation tubing connecting from the device to provide a flow of gas to the patient and exhalation tubing extending from the patient, the system comprising:
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a humidifier comprising blotting paper to absorb the water and disposed in the path of flow of the inhalation tubing adjacent to the patient; delivery means for delivering water to the blotting paper; measurement means capable of measuring at least two parameters; a regulation means for regulating the delivery means based on the measured parameters so that an appropriate amount of water is delivered to the blotting paper to achieve a desired humidity level in the gas, said humidifier, said delivery means, said measurement means and said regulation means together providing a gas having a molecular humidity substantially free of particulate water droplets at a humidity level in the range from approximately 28 to approximately 31 mg H2 O/l gas at approximately 37°
C. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of humidifying breathable gas being supplied to a patient by a ventilator or an anesthesia circuit, the method comprising:
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directing the gas through substantially water saturated blotting paper; delivering an amount of water to the blotting paper; measuring at least two parameters; and regulating the amount of water delivered to the blotting paper based on the measured parameters to achieve a desired humidity level in the gas, said steps of directing, delivering, measuring and regulating together providing a gas having a molecular humidity substantially free of particulate water droplets at a humidity level in the range from approximately 28 to approximately 31 mg H2 O/l gas at approximately 37°
C. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A humidification system for humidifying breathable gas supplied to a patient by a medical gas delivery apparatus having inhalation tubing connecting from the apparatus to the patient and exhalation tubing extending from the patient, the system comprising:
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a humidifier disposed in the inhalation tubing adjacent to the patient; a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of the gas supplied by the gas delivery apparatus; a temperature probe for measuring a temperature of the gas delivered to the patient; a reservoir of water; piping carrying an amount of water from the reservoir to the humidifier; a controllable pulsing valve disposed in the piping between the reservoir and the humidifier and capable of limiting the amount of water delivered to the humidifier, said humidifier, said flow meter, said temperature probe and said controllable pulsing valve together providing a gas having a molecular humidity substantially free of particulate water droplets at a humidity level in the range of from approximately 28 to approximately 31 mg H2 O/l gas at approximately 37°
C.; anda microprocessor receiving a temperature measurement signal from the temperature probe and a rate of flow signal from the flow meter, and controlling the pulsing valve in response to the received signals and thereby controlling the relative humidity of the gas delivered to the patient. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification