IN-LINE AIR HUMIDIFIER, A SYSTEM FOR HUMIDIFYING AIR AND METHODS RELATED THERETO

摘要

In preferred aspects the invention provides an in-line humidifier, a system using such a humidifier and methods related thereto, a method for infusing a gas into an eye during retinal detachment surgical procedure and a method for treating a retinal tear. The method for infusing gas includes providing an in-line humidifier, humidifying the gas in the in- line humidifier by flowing the gas there through and infusing the humidified gas into the eye. The in-line humidifier includes a housing and a humidifier section disposed within the housing, the humidifier section including a hydroscopic material that releasably retains liquid therein. The housing includes an inlet and outlet connection in fluid communication with the housing interior. The humidifier section is disposed within the housing so the gas entering through the inlet connection flows through the humidifying section, where small quantities of the releasably retinal liquid is released by the hydroscopic material to the flowing gas, and so the humidified gas exits the housing via the outlet connection.