Device and method for tempering and humidifying gas, especially respiratory air
A device and a process for the heating and humidification of gas, especially respiratory gas. Fluid from a fluid reservoir is supplied to a sprinkling type chamber where, for the purpose of humidification, it is moved through the gas. The point is that the fluid is heated by a temperature controlled heater to a preset temperature. In addition to the description of the device, a description of the process underlying the operation of the device is described.
1. A humidifier device to heat and humidify gas comprising:
a fluid reservoir structured to hold a supply of fluid,
a humidification chamber having a gas inlet, a gas outlet and a humidification surface provided between the gas inlet and the gas outlet,
a drive device configured to move the fluid through the humidification surface and the gas,
wherein the drive device is a pump, and
a controlled heater device for heating the fluid,
wherein the fluid and the gas are moved through the humidification surface in opposite directions.
2. A humidifier device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
filling material in said humidification chamber, forming the humidification surface.
3. A humidifier device according to claim 1 , wherein said humidification chamber is pressurized.
4. A humidifier device according to claim 1 , wherein said pump is adapted to feed the fluid from the fluid reservoir to the humidification surface, the humidification surface and the fluid reservoir being connected in a circuit.
5. A humidifier device according to claim 1 , wherein the humidification surface includes a sieve surface configured to distribute the fluid within the chamber.
6. A humidifier device according to claim 1 , further comprising a bottom chamber to collect the fluid that has passed through the humidification surface.
7. A humidifier device according to claim 6 , wherein the fluid collected in the bottom chamber is recirculated back to the fluid reservoir.
8. A humidifier device according to claim 2 , wherein the filling material includes knitted aluminium, stainless steel wool, or metal pearls.
9. A humidifier device according to claim 1 , wherein the humidification surface is configured to provide a large surface area for humidity exchange.
10. A respiratory system for providing a supply of pressurized humidified gas to a patient, the system comprising:
a humidifier device according to claim 1 to humidify a supply of gas;
a gas flow generator coupled to the humidifier device configured to control the pressure of the supply of gas; and
a patient interface device coupled to an air delivery tube for delivery of the pressurized humidified supply of gas to the patient.
11. A respiratory device according to claim 10 , wherein the gas flow generator is provided downstream of the humidifier device.
12. A respiratory device according to claim 11 , wherein the supply of gas for the humidifier device is provided from a gas reservoir.
13. A respiratory device according to claim 10 , wherein the gas flow generator is provided upstream of the humidifier device.
14. A process of humidifying a supply of gas comprising:
providing a flow of gas between a gas inlet and a gas outlet of a humidification chamber;
providing a supply of heated fluid to a humidification surface within the humidification chamber, the gas flow configured to flow through the humidification surface between the gas inlet and the gas outlet; and
driving the heated fluid to move through the humidification surface in a direction substantially opposite to the direction of the gas flow,
wherein the heated fluid is provided to the humidification surface from a fluid reservoir via a drive device,
wherein the drive device pumps the heated fluid to the humidification surface.
15. A process according to claim 14 , wherein the flow of gas is provided by a gas flow generator provided upstream of the gas inlet.
16. A process according to claim 14 , wherein the flow of gas is provided by a gas reservoir provided upstream of the gas inlet.
17. A process according to claim 16 , wherein the humidification chamber is pressurized.