2006 OPEN FORUM Abstracts
Performance of a Novel Humidification Device in Continuous Flow of Dry Gas
N.H. Tiffin, BSc, RRT, MSA1, D.H.
Currie, PhD2, T.Q. Tuan, BS1, L.A. Weinstein, MS1,
J.B. Taylor, BFA3 and C.H. Sellers, PhD4. 1Pari
Respiratory Equipment, Midlothian, VA, United States; 2Sunrise Labs,
Auburn, NH, United States; 3Farm Design, Hollis, NH, United States
and 4Vapore, Almeda, Ca, United States.
Background: A novel active humidification system has been developed
which can heat and humidify dry therapeutic gases. This study measures the ability of this
in-line humidification device (PARI Hydrate
Pari Respiratory Equipment,
Midlothian
,
VA
) to heat and humidify dry therapeutic gas at high
flows. The new technology (C-Force
Pari Respiratory Equipment) produces water vapor in a
pressurized stream from an in-line, small device placed proximal to the
patient. A controller allows precise
water introduction into the bottom of a ceramic disk. A heating plate on the
top of the disk vaporizes the water inside the ceramic and the resultant vapor
stream is directed into the gas flow. Energy efficiency is over 90% and there
are no moving parts in the disk.
Method: The device housing the vaporizing disk was connected to a flowmeter by 1/8
Dry oxygen source gas was used
at flows of 10, 20 and 40 L/min. Temperature and relative humidity (RH) were
recorded 6termperature at 20oC.
RH was measured using a hygrometer calibrated as per manufacturer
Results:
| Relative Humidity and Temperature of AirFlow | ||
| RH (%) | Temp (C) | |
| source gas | 3.0 | 20.0 |
| 10 L/min | 95.9 | 35.9 |
| 20 L/min | 90.7 | 36.6 |
| 40 L/min | 95.0 | 36.0 |
Conclusions: This device is capable of heating and humidifying dry
gas flows of up to at least 40 L/min to over 35oC and over 90%
relative humidity. Application to high oxygen flow therapy is possible.