Humidity control in a pressure support system

摘要

A pressure support system configured to provide pressure support therapy includes a humidifier that holds an enhanced amount of liquid while enhancing the power consumption of the pressure support system and enabling relatively rapid adjustments to humidity level. The humidifier includes a humidification chamber and a holding chamber, and a partition that divides the holding chamber from the humidification chamber such that liquid from the holding chamber replenishes liquid held in the humidification chamber. The partition, however, also provides a level of thermal isolation for the humidification chamber from the holding chamber.

主权项

1. A method of humidifying a flow of gas generated by a pressure support system for delivery to an airway of a subject, the pressure support system, the method comprising:
holding liquid in a humidification chamber that forms a flow path between a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the gas inlet being configured to receive a flow gas into the humidification chamber and the gas outlet being configured to release the flow of gas from the humidification chamber; directing such a flow of gas through the humidification chamber along the flow path between the gas inlet and the gas outlet such that the humidification chamber is pressurized by the flow of gas; controllably heating the liquid within the humidification chamber separately from the liquid held in a holding chamber such that the flow of gas flowing through the humidification chamber from the gas inlet to the gas outlet is humidified by the heated liquid; and receiving liquid from the humidification chamber into the holding chamber positioned adjacent to the humidification chamber as the flow of gas elevates pressure within the humidification chamber, wherein the holding chamber is divided from the humidification chamber by a partition that defines an opening between the humidification chamber and the holding chamber through which the liquid is received, and wherein the opening and holding chamber are formed such that the reception of liquid from the humidification chamber into the holding chamber causes the level of liquid within the humidification chamber to be reduced to a level that is substantially lower than the level of liquid in the holding chamber.