Method and apparatus for humidification and warming of air
A method of humidifying a gas that includes supplying a gas to a surface of a humidification material that readily absorbs moisture and readily releases moisture when exposed to a dry environment and generating turbulence in the gas as it passes over the surface of the humidification material.
1. A gas humidification apparatus for use in a medical procedure comprising:
a gas inlet;
a humidification device in fluid communication with said inlet, said humidification device comprising:
a heater for warming a gas flowing through the chamber;
a humidification material adjacent to said heater that readily absorbs moisture and readily releases moisture when exposed to a dry environment;
a gas outlet in fluid communication with said humidification device;
said humidification device receiving said gas from an insufflator which receives said gas from a gas source; and
said insufflator controlling said heater and monitoring temperature, gas volume, gas flow rate and/or humidity.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said humidification device comprises at least two gas flow channels for flowing gas over said humidification material.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said heater comprises a heater housing in fluid communication with said gas inlet.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said heater housing comprises a plurality of holes.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said humidification material comprises a cylindrical central opening.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said heater comprises a cylindrical portion for insertion into the cylindrical central opening.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said medical procedure is a laparoscopic procedure.
8. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said humidification material comprises eight gas flow channels.
9. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of holes directs the gas to flow into the at least two gas flow channels.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said humidification device comprises a port in fluid communication with a chamber.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein a dispending device is inserted within said port for delivering a medicament in aerosol form to humidified gas as it exits said gas outlet.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said gas is carbon dioxide.