Development and clinical utility of membrane humidifier without need of water for humidification

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It is well known that conventional bubbling humidifiers are capable of producing micro-aerosols contaminated with bacteria. We developed a unique humidifier named as membrane humidifier that does not require an external water supply. This new system obtains moisture from room air. We investigated the clinical and in vitro evaluation of membrane humidifier.Ten patients with chronic pulmonary disease participated in the study. We evaluated the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaOィイD22ィエD2) of 10 patients who used the new device. We conducted an in vitro study to determine whether the device could prevent the bacterial contamination of humidified-oxygen passed inside the hollow fibers was sampled into nutrient broth periodically for 10 days. We also compared the relative humidity of oxygen humidified by a membrane humidifier with that of oxygen humidified by a bubbling humidifier.There was no significant difference between measured PaOィイD22ィエD2 while breathing oxygen humidified using a membrane humidifier and that while breathing oxygen humidified using a bubbling humidifier. Cultures of the humidified-oxygen passed through the hollow fibers were negative for bacteria. The membrane humidifier could produce well humidification.The new device appeared to prevent bacterial contamination, and may help to reduce the risk of infection in patients at hospital and home.