摘要 |
The invention relates to an apparatus for heating and humidifying gases, especially respiratory gases used in artificial respiration. This apparatus consists of two heat/humidity exchangers (4, 25) with, arranged between them, an active heating and humidifying arrangement in a housing. The first heat/humidity exchanger (4) is used for preliminary heating and preliminary humidifying of the cold, dry inhalation gases. In an active heating/humidifying arrangement (17-22) downstream, and in the second heat/humidity exchanger (25) additionally heated and humidified by the latter, the optimal physiological conditioning of the respiratory gases finally takes place (36-37 DEG Celsius, 100% relative humidity). In the expiratory phase, 70-80% of the humidity and heat is recovered again from this optimally moist/warm respiratory gas with the aid of the two in-built heat/humidity exchangers (4, 25). �<IMAGE>� |