Breathing gas temperature modification device

摘要

A device is provided for modifying the temperature of a breathing or other gas supplied through a conduit. A heat exchanger is mounted in-line with the conduit. A thermoelectric device has first and second thermally conductive plates separated by at least one thermoelectric couple. The first thermally conductive plate is in thermal contact with the heat exchanger. A phase change material is in thermal contact with the second thermally conductive plate. A voltage is applied to the thermoelectric couple(s) to maintain the first and second thermally conductive plates at different temperatures. The phase change material changes from a first phase to a second phase at a phase change temperature that is selected to be between the different temperatures of the first and second thermally conductive plates.