Patent ID: 6557551
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
An artificial respiratory system comprising:(a) a pressure generator adapted to generate a flow of breathing gas; (b) a patient circuit coupled to the pressure generator so as to deliver the flow of breathing gas to the patient; and (c) a humidification unit disposed in the patient circuit, the humidification unit comprising: (1) an exothermic member having an outer surface, and (2) a plurality of hollow fibers disposed on the outer surface of the exothermic member, wherein each hollow fiber in the plurality of hollow fibers includes a fluid carrying channel defined by a peripheral wall of the hollow fiber for carrying fluid proximate to the outer surface of the exothermic member, wherein the peripheral wall of each hollow fiber has a plurality of minute openings that are large enough to allow a gas to pass therethrough yet small enough to prevent a liquid from passing therethrough so that fluid carried in the channel of each hollow fiber does not contact the exothermic member.