A new device for 100 per cent humidification of inspired air.
STATEMENT OF FINDINGS: A new humidifier for use during mechanical ventilation in endotracheally intubated patients is described and tested. The humidifier is based on a heat-moisture exchanger, which absorbs the expired heat and moisture and releases it into the inspired air. External heat and water are then added at the patient side of the heat-moisture exchanger, so that the inspired gas should reach 100% humidity (44 mg/l) at 37 degrees C. In bench tests using constant and decelerating inspiratory flow and minute volumes of 3-25 l the device gave an absolute humidity of 41-44 mg/l, and it reduced the amount of water consumed in eight mechanically ventilated patients compared with a conventional active humidifier. During a 24-h test period there was no water condensation in the ventilator tubing with the new device.
Larsson
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University of Copenhagen, Department of Anesthesiology, Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark. andla@gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk
Gustafsson
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Svanborg
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D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012143:Respiratory Physiological Phenomena; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome