Method and apparatus for conditioning gas for medical procedures having humidity monitoring and recharge alert

A method for providing humidified gas to a patient for a medical procedure such that the humidity of the gas is monitored throughout the procedure, comprising the steps of:

• a) directing a gas from a laparoscopic insufflator into a chamber;
• b) humidifying the gas within the chamber with a volume of liquid;
• c) sensing the humidity of the gas as it exits the chamber;
• d) monitoring the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber;
• e) detecting when the humidity of the gas is below a predetermined humidity level;
• and
• f) generating an audio or visual signal to the practitioner, based on the detected humidity level, to indicate that the chamber is in danger of going dry.

A method for providing humidified gas to a patient for a medical procedure such that heat loss in transfer of the gas is minimized, and such that the humidity of the gas is monitored throughout the procedure, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a chamber immediately adjacent the patient,
• b) directing a gas from a laparoscopic innsufflator into the chamber;
• c) humidifying the gas within the chamber with a volume of liquid;
• d) sensing the humidity of the gas as it exits the chamber;
• e) monitoring the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber;
• and
• f) detecting when the humidity of the gas is below a predetermined humidity level.

A method for providing heated and humidified gas to a patient for a medical procedure such that heat loss in transfer of the gas is minimized, and such that the humidity of the gas is monitored and the temperature of the gas is controlled throughout the procedure, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a chamber immediately adjacent the patient;
• b) directing a gas from a laparoscopic insufflator into the chamber;
• c) humidifying the gas within the chamber with a volume of liquid;
• d) controlling the temperature of the gas within the chamber substantially simultaneously with humidifying the gas;
• e) sensing the humidity of the gas as it exits the chamber;
• f) monitoring the humidity of the gas exiting the chamber;
• g) detecting when the humidity of the gas is below a predetermined humidity level;
• and
• h) generating a recharge signal indicating that the humidity of the gas is below a predetermined humidity level.

A method of providing, for any selected period of time, humidified and treated gas into a patient by other than inspiration or expiration, for a medical procedure, comprising the steps of:

• a) directing a gas from a laparoscopic insufflator into a chamber;
• b) humidifying the gas within the chamber with a humidifying solution;
• c) treating the gas by admixing at least one agent, other than air or water, with the gas;
• d) sensing the humidity of the gas after treatment;
• e) monitoring the humidity of the gas;
• and
• f) detecting when the humidity of the gas is below a predetermined humidity level.