LOW-FLOW OXYGEN THERAPY HUMIDIFIER AND METHOD
FIG1 depicts a block diagram showing humidification system 100 in accordance with the present teachings in use in conjunction with a low-flow oxygen therapy system
FIG1 depicts humidification system 100 in accordance with the present teachings, in use, receiving cool dry oxygen 92 from oxygen source 90 and delivering humidified oxygen 94, or heated, humidified oxygen 96, to nasal cannula 98. In the illustrative embodiment, humidification system 100 provides sufficient humidification (as discussed below) for oxygen flow rates in the range of about 0.5 to about 6.0 liters per minute (lpm). Oxygen source 90 may be a canister of oxygen or an oxygen concentrator. Neither the oxygen source 90 nor nasal cannula 98 are part of the present invention. WVP membrane 206, embodied as a flexible tube, is coupled at one end to oxygen inlet port 422 and at its other end to oxygen outlet port 423. The oxygen inlet port 422 is also connected to an oxygen line (not depicted) that conveys oxygen from oxygen source 90 (FIG1). And oxygen outlet port 423 is also connected to an oxygen outlet line, such as oxygen outlet line 210. Thus, oxygen flows through the interior of WVP membrane 206 while the exterior of the tube is exposed to water 204. The water level in reservoir 402 is observable via water gauge 640, which can be embodied as a simple sight gauge with a ball-float indicator.
block diagram
210
line
202
reservoir
92
oxygen
100
humidification system
206
membrane
204
water
90
oxygen source
['1. A humidification system for use with low-flow oxygen therapy, the humidification system comprising: a reservoir, wherein the reservoir receives a volume of liquid water, and further wherein a liquid capacity of the reservoir is alterable such that instantaneous liquid capacity of the reservoir is substantially equal to instantaneous volume of liquid water in the reservoir; and a tube comprising a water-vapor-permeable (WVP) membrane, wherein a major portion of the tube is contained in the reservoir.', '7. The humidification system as in any of the preceding claims and further comprising an oxygen outlet line coupled to an end of the tube.']