title: A newly developed tool for intra-tracheal temperature and humidity assessment in laryngectomized individuals: the Airway Climate Explorer (ACE).
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Oncology and Surgery, The Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Plesmanlaan 121, 1066CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Zuur
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: F H C
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: de Jongh
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: van der Horst
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shehata
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sinaasappel
authors.forename: F J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hilgers
mesh_terms: 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*