Development of an Electronic Nebulized-Humidifier.

The electronic nebulizer-humidifier was designed to provide medical equipment capable of administering therapeutic humidification to patients in aeromedical aircraft. Specifications required the item to be compact, portable, lightweight, durable, and operationally compatible with both dedicated aircraft such as the C-9 and multimission aircraft such as the C-130 and C-141. In the airborne environment the unit must be capable of producing fine mist droplets 0.5 to 8 microns in diameter to humidify and deliver moisture to the upper and lower pulmonary airways. The volume of water, as aerosol, delivered must be adjustable within a range of .5 to 3.5 ml per minute. The nebulizer-humidifier must be easily secured to the poles of the standard NATO litter and be capable of providing aerosol therapy via an open face mask, face tent, tracheostomy mask, or high humidity tent. Modified author abstract