A newly developed tool for intra-tracheal temperature and humidity assessment in laryngectomized individuals: the Airway Climate Explorer (ACE).
The aim of this study is to develop a postlaryngectomy airway climate explorer (ACE) for assessment of intratracheal temperature and humidity and of influence of heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs). Engineering goals were within-device condensation prevention and fast response time characteristics. The ACE consists of a small diameter, heated air-sampling catheter connected to a heated sensor house, containing a humidity sensor. Air is sucked through the catheter by a controlled-flow pump. Validation was performed in a climate chamber using a calibrated reference sensor and in a two-flow system. Additionally, the analyser was tested in vivo. Over the clinically relevant range of humidity values (5-42 mg H2O/l air) the sensor output highly correlates with the reference sensor readings (R2 > 0.99). The 1-1/e response times are all <0.5 s. A first in vivo pilot measurement was successful. The newly developed, verified, fast-responding ACE is suitable for postlaryngectomy airway climate assessment.
Zuur
J K
JK
Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Muller
S H
SH
de Jongh
F H C
FH
van der Horst
M J
MJ
Shehata
M
M
van Leeuwen
J
J
Sinaasappel
M
M
Hilgers
F J M
FJ
D001831:Body Temperature; D002138:Calibration; D004867:Equipment Design; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007825:Laryngectomy; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014132:Trachea / Q000503:physiopathology*