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The Hygroscopic Condenser Humidifier A new device for general use in anaesthesia and intensive care
Author(s) -
GEDEON ANDRAS,
MEBIUS CLAES
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1979.tb06258.x
Subject(s) - medicine , condenser (optics) , anesthesia , heat exchanger , relative humidity , moisture , intensive care , intensive care unit , intensive care medicine , thermodynamics , composite material , materials science , light source , physics , optics
The design and performance of the Hygroscopic Condenser Humidifier (HCH) are described. In principle the HCH consists of two parts, a conventional Heat-Moisture-Exchanger (HME) and a hygroscopic unit. The hygroscopic action is shown to improve the water retention efficiency of the device by about a factor of two as compared with optimal HME designs. As a result, humidification levels corresponding to around 80% relative humidity at 37 degrees C are obtained in the trachea and this is also achieved when completely dry gases are delivered to the patient. The unit can therefore be used for all procedures in anaesthesia and in intensive care.