Devices for humidifying respiratory gases are provided. The device includes a humidification component that holds a water volume and a humidification component controller coupled to the humidification component and configured to receive humidification target value information. The humidification component controller includes a humidification target value determiner that determines a humidification target value from at least two humidification target values based on the received humidification target value information. The determined humidification target value identifies a humidification level setting that corresponds to a patient. The device automatically selects an appropriate identified humidification level setting for the patient. A method of using the device is also provided.

Systems and methods for storing a perishable object are provided. An example system comprises an enclosure body forming a cavity and a lid which removably engages with at least a portion of the enclosure body to form a chamber enclosing a perishable object. The system also comprises a thermal insulator disposed within the cavity, a temperature control system disposed within the cavity to adjust a temperature of the environment based on a target temperature range associated with the perishable object, a humidity control system disposed within the cavity, the humidifying system comprising a heating element in contact with a liquid to adjust a humidity of the environment based on a target humidity range associated with the perishable object.

Steam cylinders for humidifies require periodic replacement as well as replacement to address failures etc. However, field replacement of steam cylinders is not a straight-forward operation and there is significant risk and potential for damage to the replacement cylinder and the humidifier as fluidic seals for the water inlet and steam outlet must be unmade as well as electrical connections for heater elements, level sensors etc. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide solutions for the deployment of replacement cylinders etc. for domestic, retail, and commercial systems that reduce the likelihood of damage to the fluidic seals, electrical connectors etc.

The electrical connections of a chamber or enclosure for a water tub can be protected through the use of spill element sensors. The spill element sensors can help to disable the delivery of power to the heater of a water tub in the event that the electrical connections become wet.

A humidifier system for humidifying a microenvironment in a neonatal incubator includes a reservoir configured to hold water to be evaporated for humidifying the microenvironment. A chamber divider defines a heating chamber within the reservoir, and a movable heating element is positioned at a surface level of the water inside the heating chamber so as to heat the water at the surface level inside the heating chamber. The heating element is configured such that it is moved downward within the heating chamber so as to maintain the heating element at the surface level of the water as an amount of water in the reservoir decreases.

A method for maintaining a boiling rate of a base fluid can include a determination of a fluid level of a turbulated base fluid in a reservoir. The fluid level can be determined by measuring at least one first height of the turbulated base fluid above the fluid level with at least a first sensor. The fluid level can be determined by measuring at least one second height of the turbulated base fluid below the fluid level with the first sensor. The method can include the establishment of the fluid level of the turbulated base fluid. The fluid level can be established according to the measured at least one first and second heights. The method can include the graduated introduction of an input fluid into the reservoir. A control valve can gradually introduce the input fluid in proportion to the established fluid level of the turbulated base fluid.

Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source through an inverse-opal wicking structure to a vaporization port where the vaporization port is formed by a through-hole in a structure connecting a first side of the structure to a second side, with all dimensions ranging from 10 um to 300 um, that is in fluid communication with the liquid source and the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the vaporization port between the first and the second side. The methods and apparatus includes plurality of heating elements that may be individually and/or selectively addressable by at least three electrode leads.

Methods and apparatus for vaporizing liquid into the surrounding environment, including directing liquid from a liquid source to a vaporization port where the vaporization port has lateral dimensions varying from 10 um to 300 um, applying heat to the liquid in the vaporization port with an at least one heating element located in thermal communication to the vaporization port, and releasing vaporized liquid from the vaporization port into the surrounding environment so that fluid is transported through the depth of the structure.

An induction humidification system is disclosed. The induction humidification system includes a base having a circumferential induction coil and a removable and replaceable cartridge received within the interior space defined by the induction coil. The canister has a nonmetallic housing, such as a plastic housing, within which a ferromagnetic member having a circumferential sidewall is disposed. When the canister is received within the base, the ferromagnetic member sidewall and the induction coil are radially overlapping such that a current applied to the induction coil causes the ferromagnetic member to be heated which in turn causes water held within the canister to be converted to steam. Once the ferromagnetic member has reached the end of its useful life, the canister can be simply replaced with a new canister that can be received by the original base.

The present invention provides devices, machines, systems and methods for generating a desired humidity and temperature condition within a room.