If the CFV is the heart of the system, the Hydrate OMNI™ controller is the brain. The Hydrate controller is in continuous communication with the C-Force™ (through the patient cable) and monitors and regulates the various functions that produce heat and humidity. The C-Force contains the CFV and feeds back the resistance of the CFV’s heater which is interpreted by the Hydrate to indicate heater temperature, water absence and presence, and gas flow through the CFV. The controller also regulates the speed of the pump which controls water (and therefore humidity) to the CFV, displays the functions to the clinician and alerts the clinician to low water reservoir, gas flow heat out of range, absent gas flow and other potentially harmful conditions. The controller also measures gas flow in the G-mode to ensure proper matching of heat and humidity with gas flow.

 

 

 

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The Heart

 

« Figure 1

The Capillary Force Vaporizer (CFV) works by absorbing liquids through the bottom of the disk by capillary action. Heat from a high density disk heater on the top of the ceramic creates the phase transition from liquid to vapor with the resultant vapor jetted out an orifice because of the increased pressure from expansion into gas. This vapor humidifies and heats the gas which flows by the disk inside the CFV. Therefore a thermal equilibrium is established between the cooling water entering the bottom and the heat entering the top.

Figure 2 »Each C-Force is individually calibrated and houses a small PC board to communicate effectively with the Hydrate controller’s software. The Hydrate controller monitors the temperature of the heater, the flow and exit temperature of the gas, as well as other parameters several times a second.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Brain

 

Figure 3 »

The Hydrate OMNI™ Controller controls the function of the C-Force™ (temperature and vapor) and contains the peristaltic pump for precise water flow to the C-Force™. For high flow gas therapy, the C-Force™ fully saturates up to 40 L/min of inspired gas at body temperature delivered by means of a nasal cannula. For mechanical ventilation and tracheotomies, the C-Force™ integrates with the ventilator circuit to fully saturate up to 40 L/min of inspired gas at body temperature without risk of circuit condensation.

« Figure 4The software driven control of water delivery enables the clinician to condition inspired gases with precision using the controllers keypad. This keypad displays the precise degree of humidification and temperature continuously, eliminating the guesswork.