Patent ID: 7686015

Claim:
A system for humidifying breathing gas in a ventilation circuit for mechanical ventilation of a patient, comprising: a ventilation circuit for providing a dry breathing gas for mechanical ventilation of a patient; a humidifier cartridge interposed in said ventilation circuit for humidifying said dry breathing gas in said ventilation circuit, said humidifier cartridge including: an inlet and an outlet connected to said ventilation circuit, a humidification chamber disposed between said inlet and said outlet, and a hydrophobic membrane disposed in said humidification chamber, said hydrophobic membrane disposed within an external heat exchange surface at least partially defining an interspace between said hydrophobic membrane and said external heat exchange surface; a stationary diffuser disposed inside said humidification chamber, said diffuser including multiple distinct protrusions spaced apart from said hydrophobic membrane such that said diffuser protrusions divert the breathing gas toward said hydrophobic membrane and along a pathway defined between the outer edges of said diffuser protrusions and said hydrophobic membrane; a heater disposed in relationship with said external heat exchange surface for transferring heat across said external heat exchange surface to a volume of humidification fluid located in said interspace in order to heat said humidification fluid; and a supply of humidification fluid connected to said interspace for introducing said humidification fluid into said interspace, said hydrophobic membrane being operable to transfer humidity through the hydrophobic membrane from said humidification fluid into said humidification chamber.