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.

A dispensing device for dispensing anesthetic in a breathing gas stream includes a flow duct (42) for an anesthetic-containing breathing gas stream, a control unit (5) and a first temperature sensor (54). An anesthetic feed device (45) has an evaporation surface (46) arranged in the flow duct (42). The first temperature sensor (54) detects the temperature of the evaporation surface (46) and sends a first temperature signal (T1) to the control unit (5). A second temperature sensor (53) detects the temperature of the breathing gas stream in the flow duct (42) and sends a second temperature signal (T2) to the control unit (5). The control unit (5) is configured to determine an anesthetic concentration based on the first and second temperature signals (T1, T2).

The invention relates to an inhaler component for forming a vapor/air mixture or/and condensation aerosol by evaporation of a liquid material and, if appropriate, condensation of the formed vapor, comprising: an electric heating element for evaporating a portion of the liquid material; a wick with a capillary structure, which wick forms a composite with the heating element and automatically supplies the heating element with the liquid material; a carrier plate, preferably a printed circuit board, which carries the composite and on which the heating element is electrically contacted; a capillary gap formed at least partially by the carrier plate and automatically supplying the composite with the liquid material, by means of an end portion of the wick extending into the capillary gap; a liquid container which contains the liquid material and from which the capillary gap draws the liquid material. In order to achieve a compact overall arrangement, it is proposed that the capillary gap at least partially covers the liquid container on the outside, in a view perpendicular to the carrier plate.

A respiratory assistance device including a respiratory interface device configured to be worn by a user and deliver a gas, a gas temperature measurement unit configured to measure a gas temperature that is a temperature of the gas, a warming unit configured to warm the gas, and a temperature change unit configured to change the gas temperature by controlling the warming unit. The respiratory assistance device can administer comfortable respiratory assistance even during sleep.

An apparatus for treating a respiratory disorder in a patient, includes a respiratory pressure therapy device that generates a flow of air at positive pressure for treating the respiratory disorder. An air circuit transports the flow of air generated by the respiratory pressure therapy device to a patient interface. A nebuliser module is located at or adjacent to a proximal end of the air circuit to nebulise a liquid to form a nebula of the liquid. The nebula is admitted into the flow of air generated by the respiratory pressure therapy device. A vaporiser is located at the distal end of the air circuit to receive and vaporise the nebula to form a humidified flow of air.

Apparatus for treating a respiratory disorder in a patient, the apparatus comprising: a respiratory pressure therapy device configured to generate a flow of air for treating the respiratory disorder, said flow of air being at a positive pressure with respect to ambient pressure; an air circuit adapted to transport said flow of air generated by said respiratory pressure therapy device to a patient interface, said air circuit having a proximal end connectable to said respiratory pressure therapy device and a distal end connectable to said patient interface; a nebuliser module located at or adjacent to said proximal end of said air circuit, said nebuliser module adapted to nebulise a liquid to form a nebula of said liquid, and to admit said nebula into said flow of air generated by said respiratory pressure therapy device; and a vaporiser located at said distal end of said air circuit, said vaporiser adapted to receive said nebula and further adapted to vaporise said nebula to form a humidified flow of air. Also, a method for treating a respiratory disorder in a patient, the method comprising the steps of: generating a flow of air for treating the respiratory disorder in a respiratory pressure therapy device, said flow of air being at a positive pressure with respect to ambient pressure; nebulising a liquid retained in a water reservoir to form a nebula of said liquid, and admitting said nebula to said flow of air; transporting said flow of air and said nebula over an air circuit; receiving said flow of air and said nebula in a vaporiser module; vaporising said nebula to form a vapour of said liquid; mixing said air flow with said vapour in said vaporiser module to form a humidified flow of air; receiving said humidified flow of air in a patient interface; and delivering said humidified flow of air to said patient for treatment of said respiratory disorder.

A respiratory assistance device including a respiratory interface device configured to be worn by a user and deliver a gas, a gas temperature measurement unit configured to measure a gas temperature that is a temperature of the gas, a warming unit configured to warm the gas, and a temperature change unit configured to change the gas temperature by controlling the warming unit. The respiratory assistance device can administer comfortable respiratory assistance even during sleep.

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for manufacturing a vapor transfer cartridge with a constant inner diameter to maximize the area available for fibers required for heating and humidifying a breathing gas. In one aspect, a vapor transfer cartridge includes a center tube extending along a first axis from a first to a second end, having a continuous inner diameter, a first header piece configured as a cap and including a channel about an inner circumference of the header piece coupled to the first end of the center tube, a second header piece coupled to the second end of the center tube, and a plurality of fibers arranged along the axis of the center tube from the first end to the second end. The first header piece further includes a first port, and a baffle.

The invention relates to an inhaler component for forming a vapor-air mixture and/or condensation aerosol by vaporizing a liquid material and optionally condensing the vapor formed, including: a heating element for vaporizing a portion of the liquid material; a wick for automatically supplying the liquid material to the heating element, wherein the wick comprises at least two end sections arranged apart from each other; a first capillary gap for automatically supplying the liquid material to the wick, wherein a first end section of the wick projects into the first capillary gap. In order that the heating element can be supplied more quickly and ore reliably with the liquid material, a second capillary gap is provided, which receives therein the second end section of the wick.

A humidification device (200A) includes a reservoir (216), a vaporizer (250), a water supply passage (230), a gas introduction passage (240), a gas introduction source (260), and a controller. The reservoir (216) stores water. The vaporizer (250) vaporizes the water supplied to the vaporizer (250). The water supply passage (230) is connected to the reservoir (216) and the vaporizer (250) and filled with the water flowing from the reservoir (216). The gas introduction passage (240) is connected to an intermediate position of the water supply passage (230). The gas introduction source (260) introduces gas into the water supply passage (230) through the gas introduction passage (240) so as to push out, by using pressure of the introduced gas, toward the vaporizer (250) the water with which the water supply passage (230) is filled. The controller controls operation of the gas introduction source (260).