What is Humidity?
A Quick Tutorial
Humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air. You have probably talked about humidity and hot weather, for example:
- When there is a small amount of water vapor in the air (low humidity) it is often referred to as a "dry" heat
- When there is a lot of water vapor in the air (high humidity) it is commonly said that it is "muggy" or "humid"
There are two ways of measuring humidity:
- Absolute Humidity – the actual amount of water vapor in the air
- Relative Humidity – the percentage of water vapor in the air compared to the air’s capacity to hold water vapor
Did you know?
Relative Humidity varies with temperature. The higher the temperature, the more water vapor the air can hold. The cooler the air, the less water it can hold.
That is why when warm air cools as it travels down the tube, condensation forms on the inside of the tube and mask in a CPAP system. This condensation is knows as rainout.
Rainout
Rainout is the water, or condensation, that collects in your mask or tubing. It is a common side effect of humidification.
What makes Climate Control better?
Climate Control uses an intelligent algorithm that controls the H5i and the ClimateLine tube to deliver constant, comfortable temperature and humidity levels during therapy.
Designed to address the limitations of traditional humidification, the Climate Control system provides protection from rainout and ensures maximum comfort.
While you are sleeping, Climate Control automatically controls:
- Temperature of the delivered air: The temperature sensor located at the mask end of the ClimateLine tube monitors the temperature of the air delivered to the patient.
- Humidity level: For each temperature setting, the Climate Control system delivers a constant amount of water vapor, or absolute humidity.
- Rainout: The humidifier and heated tube work in harmony to deliver air at a constant level of humidity and temperature – even as the ambient and treatment conditions change.
Climate Control also automatically adapts to:
- Changes in flow rates
- Changes in ambient conditions such as room temperature or humidity level
The result is unequalled comfort and optimum therapy.
Why do you need humidification during therapy?
When you breathe normally, your nose and upper airway add heat and moisture to the air. By the time it reaches your lungs, air should be at body temperature (37°C or 99°F) with 100% relative humidity (44 mg/L).
During therapy, higher air pressure can overwhelm your upper airway’s ability to heat and humidify the air. Colder, dryer air can cause a sore throat, dry nose, mouth or throat, nasal congestion and a runny nose.
30 - 70% of patients experience these symptoms.
Dual Lumen Nasal Cannulas
There are several dual lumen nasal cannulas that CAIRE offers. The most popular are those that sense and deliver oxygen in both nostrils. The customer has the option of two designs: concentric tubes or split nasal prongs.
10035468 Dual Lumen 5’ 6-778058-00 Dual Lumen 5’
10035467 Dual Lumen 7‘ 6-778057-00 Dual Lumen 7’
The dual lumen cannula is used only with the HELiOS Plus and HELiOS Marathon. The Spirit and all continuous flow units use the single lumen cannula.
