Systems, methods, and devices for humidifying a breathing gas are presented. The system includes a source of pressurized breathing gas, a vapor transfer unit external to the source of pressurized breathing gas, a first gas tube connecting the source of pressurized breathing gas to the gas inlet of the vapor transfer unit and having a first length, a liquid supply having a heater that heats liquid, a first liquid tube coupling the liquid supply to the liquid inlet of the vapor transfer unit, and a second gas tube having a second length and connecting the gas outlet to a patient interface. The first length is greater than the second length. The vapor transfer unit includes a gas passage, a liquid passage, and a membrane separating the gas passage and the liquid passage. The membrane is positioned to transfer vapor from the liquid passage to the gas passage.

Breathable medical circuit components and materials and methods for forming these components incorporate breathable foamed materials that are permeable to water vapor and substantially impermeable to liquid water and the bulk flow of gases. The materials and methods can be incorporated into a variety of components, including tubes, Y-connectors, catheter mounts, and patient interfaces and are suitable for use in a variety of medical circuits, including insufflation, anesthesia, and breathing circuits.

Methods and systems are provided for delivering anesthetic agent to a patient. In one embodiment, an anesthetic vaporizer includes a vaporizing chamber configured to hold a liquid anesthetic agent; a grid disposed within the vaporizing chamber; and a heating element positioned relative to the vaporizing chamber and configured to increase the temperature of the grid.

A humidifier for humidification of air to be delivered to a patient's airways may include a humidification chamber, a reservoir and a water delivery mechanism. The humidification chamber may include a water retention feature such as a wick, a heating element for heating the humidification chamber, and an air flow baffle configured to promote humidification. The humidifier may be further configured to execute one or more algorithms, for example to determine a condition of the humidifier and/or to mitigate any detected faults. In some forms, the humidifier may also comprise algorithms for controlling one or more components of the humidifier.

A breathing support system is provided. The system may include a breathing support device configured to deliver gas to a patient and a display device associated with the breathing support device. The display device may be configured to display a work of breathing graphic indicating one or more work of breathing measures regarding the patient's breathing.

Breathable medical circuit components and materials and methods for forming these components incorporate breathable foamed materials that are permeable to water vapor and substantially impermeable to liquid water and the bulk flow of gases. The materials and methods can be incorporated into a variety of components, including tubes, Y-connectors, catheter mounts, and patient interfaces and are suitable for use in a variety of medical circuits, including insufflation, anesthesia, and breathing circuits.

A system for humidifying oxygen for low-flow oxygen therapy includes a volume-adaptable water reservoir that contains, in addition to water, a water-vapor-permeable membrane.

A humidifier and humidity sensor used with a breathing assistance apparatus. The humidity sensor can sense absolute humidity, relative humidity and/or temperature at both the patient end and humidifier end. The humidifier can also control independently the humidity and temperature of the gases. Further, a chamber manifold can facilitate easy connection of the humidifier to various outlets, inlets and sensors. A heated conduit can provide a more effective temperature profile along its length.

A humidifier for humidification of air to be delivered to a patient's airways may include a humidification chamber, a reservoir and a water delivery mechanism. The humidification chamber may include a water retention feature such as a wick that encloses part of the flow path, a heating element for heating the humidification chamber, and an air flow baffle configured to promote humidification. The humidifier may be further configured to execute one or more algorithms, for example to determine a condition of the wick or to detect condensation in the flow path. In some forms, the humidifier may also comprise algorithms for controlling one or more components of the humidifier such as to control the build up of foreign matter on the wick.

Embodiments of an adaptor for delivering diffused aromatic agents to a user of a CPAP machine may include a connector body, a diffuser pad disposed within the connector body, and at least one coupling mechanism on the connector body coupling the connector body within the air supply and positioning the diffuser pad within the airflow of a CPAP machine. The adaptor may be configured to couple directly to a CPAP mask. Similarly, the adaptor may be configured to be placed in the airflow between the CPAP air generator and the mask. The adaptor may be configured such that no modification of the existing CPAP hose, machine, or mask is required.