Breathing air humidifier for respiration devices

Claim 2

A breathing air humidifier, comprising a respirator air supply conduit having a flexible tubular foil portion of a material impervious to water but pervious to water vapor, a receptacle surrounding said foil portion and defining an annular water chamber therearound, water reservoir means above said receptacle for circulating water to said water chamber, and a Y-piece having three interconnected tubular portions comprising a first tubular portion connectable to the mouth of the user, a second tubular portion connected to the said respirator air supply conduit downstream of said receptacle, and a third tubular portion having a respirator air return connection.

Claim 3

A breathing air humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the foil surface is made of a macroporous material which is hydrophobic.

Claim 4

A breathing air humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the foil surface is made of a microporous hydrophilic material.

Claim 5

A breathing air humidifier according to claim 1, including heating means for heating the water and causing its circulation from said supply tank to said water chamber.

Claim 6

A breathing air humidifier according to claim 1, wherein said means for supplying warm water to said water chamber comprises a pump.

Claim 7

A breathing air humidifier according to claim 1, wherein said means for supplying warm water to said water chamber includes pressure means for pressurizing the water so that it is maintained at a pressure greater than the maximum pressure occurring in the inspiration air stream.

Claim 8

A breathing air humidifier according to claim 1, wherein said foil surface comprises a member having a star shaped configuration, said inspiration air passing through the interior of said member.

Claim 9

A breathing air device according to claim 1, including means for producing a turbulence in the inspiration conduit adjacent said foil surface.

Claim 10

A breathing air humidifier according to claim 1, including second foil member extending across said inspiration conduit downstream of said humidifier and made of the same material as said foil surface and providing a safety barrier for insuring that no water is carried over to the patient.

Claim 11

A breathing air humidifier for respirator devices, comprising an inspiration conduit connectable to the user of the respirator having a portion with a foil surface of a material impervious to water but pervious to water vapor, means defining a water chamber directly adjacent at least one side of the foil surface and an inspiration air flow passage on the other side, and means for supplying warm water to the water chamber, said means for supplying warm water to said water chamber includes a supply tank, a water supply line leading from said tank to said water chamber, a water return line leading from said water chamber to said supply tank, a connection between said supply line and said return line having a diaphragm thereacross, a first valve located in said supply line, a second valve located in said return line, coupling means coupling said first and second valves in said supply and return lines to said diaphragm for opening or closing said valve simultaneously, said valves being controlled by pressure in the inspiration air stream acting through said foil surface into the water and adapted to move said diaphragm in a direction to interrupt the water circulation both in the water return conduit and the water supply conduit during the inspiration cycle.

Claim 12

A breathing air humidifier for respirator devices, comprising an inspiration conduit connectable to the user of the respirator having a portion with a foil surface of a material impervious to water but pervious to water vapor, means defining a water chamber directly adjacent at least one side of the foil surface and an inspiration air flow passage on the other side, and means for supplying warm water to the water chamber, said means for supplying warm water to said water chamber includes a supply tank, a water supply line leading from said tank to said water chamber, a water return line leading from said water chamber to said supply tank, a connection between said supply line and said return line having a diaphragm thereacross, a first valve located in said supply line, a second valve located in said return line, coupling means coupling said first and second valves in said supply and return lines to said diaphragm for opening or closing said valve simultaneously, said valves being controlled by pressure in the inspiration air stream acting through said foil surface into the water and adapted to move said diaphragm in a direction to interrupt the water circulation both in the water return conduit and the water supply conduit during the inspiration cycle.