BACKGROUND Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) delivers air at a high flow, which is associated with airway mucosal drying and impaired airway functioning. OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of mechanical ventilation parameters on relative humidity and absolute humidity during NPPV, and to evaluate the effect of a heated passover humidifier on relative humidity, absolute humidity,...

BACKGROUND Heated breathing tubes were developed to improve heated humidification in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). OBJECTIVES We wanted to investigate the influence of a heated breathing tube on patients' satisfaction with the treatment, the rate of side effects and the adherence to treatment. METHODS Eighty-eigh...

BACKGROUND A simple method for effective bronchodilator aerosol delivery while administering continuing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) would be useful in patients with severe bronchial obstruction. OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of bronchodilator aerosol delivery during CPAP generated by the Boussignac CPAP system and its optimal humidification system. METHODS First we a...

PEMFCs depend on proper water management to obtain high power density and energy efficiency. Traditionally, water management has been addressed by system design and engineering. That is, by adding auxiliary systems to the basic fuel cell system to provide humidification to the anode and remove water from the cathode. This approach adds significant complexities and costs and reduces the overall ...

A little over a decade ago, passive humidifiers, ¦^^ commonly called "artificial noses," were rele¬ gated to short-term use, typically less than 24 h. Improvements in design, coupled with careful clini¬ cal investigations, have proven that in select patients, passive humidifiers can be used safely for several days.15 The definition oi several is currently debat¬ able, but evidence for up to 5 d...

BACKGROUND Adequate humidification of inspired gas with active or passive humidifiers is a standard of care for tracheotomized patients. In this study, a comparison is made between the tracheal climate after tracheobronchial humidification either with molecular water (via a vaporizing humidifier) or particulate water (via spray) in spontaneously breathing tracheotomized patients. METHODS We p...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of humidification on the odour, acceptability, and stuffiness of indoor air. METHODS In a six period cross over trial at the Pasila Office Center, Helsinki, the air of two wings of the building in turn were ventilated with air of 30%-40% humidity. A third wing served as a non-humidified control area. The quality of indoor air was assessed weekly by a panel con...

OBJECTIVE Evaluate the effects of the improvement of filtration, heating and humidification of inspired air with Cyranose heat and moisture exchanger (HME) on voice quality, breathing, and secretion handling in laryngectomized patients. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING Fifteen laryngectomized patients, mean age 68, ages ranging from 50 to 91 years. METHODS Information was given to patien...