Apparatus and method for humidification of inspired gases

Abstract

An apparatus and method for humidification of inspired gases, wherein the present invention utilizes moisture from condensed expiratory gases deposited within the outer expiratory tube of a conventional unilimb breathing circuit to humidify oxygen gas (or any other inspiratory gas) for subsequent patient inhalation, and wherein the oxygen gas may be directed through the outer expiratory tube via a novel reverse flow adapter coupled to an oxygen gas source. The present invention preferably functions to effectively eliminate prior art methods of oxygen gas humidification that depend upon the wasteful utilization of bottles of sterile water, corrugated tubing, nebulizer adapters and excess consumption of oxygen gas; thus, effectuating a cost savings for the patient and contributing to overall environmental conservation efforts.

1 . A method for humidifying inspiratory gas for subsequent patient inhalation, said method comprising the step of: 
 humidifying the inspiratory gas with moisture condensed from patient exhalations.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the prior step of accumulating moisture condensed from gases of prior patient exhalations.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of directing a stream of inspiratory gas across the moisture condensed from the patient exhalations, whereby the stream of inspiratory gas interacts with, and becomes humidified by, the moisture, to yield a humidified inspiratory gas.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of delivering the humidified inspiratory gas to a patient for inhalation of same.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the step of venting patient exhalations released after patient inhalation of the humidified inspiratory gas.  
   
   
       6 . A method for humidifying inspiratory gas for subsequent patient inhalation, said method comprising the steps of: 
 a. accumulating, within a breathing circuit, moisture condensed from gases originating from prior patient exhalations; and,    b. directing a stream of inspiratory gas through the breathing circuit and across the moisture to humidify the inspiratory gas.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of delivering the humidified inspiratory gas to a patient for inhalation of same.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the step of venting patient exhalations released after patient inhalation of the humidified inspiratory gas.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of venting the patient exhalations through the breathing circuit.  
   
   
       10 . A method for humidifying inspiratory gas for subsequent patient inhalation, said method comprising the step of: 
 utilizing moisture from within a condensate-bearing breathing circuit for humidification of the inspiratory gas.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the condensate within the breathing circuit originates from patient exhalations.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said step comprises the step of directing a stream of inspiratory gas through the breathing circuit and across the moisture to humidify the inspiratory gas.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of delivering the humidified inspiratory gas to a patient for inhalation of same.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of venting patient exhalations released after patient inhalation of the humidified inspiratory gas.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of venting the patient exhalations through the breathing circuit.