Pediatric cartridge humidifier

Abstract

A previously disclosed cartridge type humidifier apparatus including a separate heater module with a cylindrical opening for replaceably receiving therein disposable cylindrical humidifier cartridge modules, having a housing containing a replenishable water supply is employed as a water supply source for reproducing an aerosol with an oxygen supply for pediatric inhalation therapy. The cartridge modules each have a tubular metal main body adapted for a sliding fit within a complimentary tubular wall heater. The metal tubular body has a rigid plastic top and bottom end portions. The top end portions is a cap with a center axial gas inlet tube and a separate transverse gas delivery tube, the cap forming a closed air space over a pool of humidified liquid each cartridge includes an absorption column preferably of this cylindrical tube form which is adapted to lie closely adjacent and draw water up along the cartridge cylindrical metal body which insures as a evaporating surface when heated by the heater modules. The gas to be humidified is dispersed within a hollow chamber formed between the gas inlet pipe projecting concentrically into the cartridge and the radially spaced wall of the main cartridge body and the absorption column. Water is fed to the humidifier from the bottom of a bottle of sterile water through a water inlet tube. An air flow tube is connected to the plastic top end portion. Check valves are positioned in both the water inlet and air flow lines.