Patent ID: 6968841

Claim:
A device for passive humidification of tracheostomized or intubated patients, comprising: at least one filtering and humidifying element having an internal channel; an outer body enclosing said at least one filtering and humidifying element, said outer body having a first opening adapted to connect to a patient, at least one second opening adapted to receive said at least one filtering and humidifying element, at least one oxygen delivery duct, and a coupling on said outer body connected to said at least one oxygen delivery duct, said internal channel of said at least one filtering and humidifying element being connected to said at least one oxygen delivery duct to conduct oxygen from said, at least one oxygen delivery duct through said internal channel; and at least one cross-member having a first end pivotally connected to said outer body and a second end removably connected to said outer body for removably retaining said at least one filtering and humidifying element in said outer body, said at least one cross-member being spaced apart from said channel of said at least one filtering and humidifying element and redirecting oxygen from said channel through said at least one second opening of said outer body through said at least one filtering and humidifying element to said first opening, so as to filter and humidify said oxygen supplied to the patient from said oxygen delivery duct.