Humidifier module for use in a gas humidification assembly

In combination with a gas humidification assembly having a heater, an enclosure, means for supplying water for humidifying gas, means for controlling the heater, and means for controlling a water supply, the improvement which comprises a humidifier module adapted to be seated within the enclosure having a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port for circulation of the gas through said module, said module comprising:

• (a) a housing forming a hollow shell;
• (b) a water-vapor-permeable, liquid-water impermeable membrane disposed within said housing and dividing said hollow shell into a vapor chamber and a water heating chamber for receiving and containing heated liquid water, said water heating chamber sharing said membrane as a common wall;
• (c) said vapor chamber including said gas inlet port and said gas outlet port;
• and
• (d) said water heating chamber having a water inlet port in communication with said water supply and a heat exchange member for indirectly heating said liquid water, said heat exchange member being formed of material capable of high heat transfer, said heat exchange member being adapted to receive heat from said heater, and said membrane forming a liquid water retaining wall of said water heating chamber for permitting water vapor generated from said heated liquid water to pass from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber, while preventing liquid water from passing from said water heating chamber to said humidification chamber.