Heat and moisture exchange medical devices

Abstract

Illustrative embodiments of heat and moisture exchange (HME) medical devices, as well as related methods, are disclosed. According to one aspect, an HME medical device may comprise an HME material configured to absorb heat and moisture from exhaled air and to return the heat and moisture to inhaled air. The HME medical device may also comprise a base including at least one wall defining a passageway for the exhaled and inhaled air, a lid that retains the HME material, and a tether connecting the lid to the base. The lid of the HME medical device may be movable between (i) a first position in which the lid is engaged with the base and the HME material is positioned in the passageway and (ii) a second position in which the lid is disengaged from the base and the HME material is not positioned in the passageway.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.