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Vapotherm has created a system for delivery of flows from 1-8 lpm. Neonatal and Low Flow Applications utilize a specially designed Vapor Transfer Cartridge. The system allows for the delivery
of heated and humidified gases -- molecular high
humidity -- through nasal cannula and other patient
interfaces including trach masks and oxyhoods.
The Importance of Heat and Humidity:
Heat and humidity prevents airway water-loss,
airway cooling, thickened secretions, nasal
irritation and bleeding. Before Vapotherm, bubble
humidifiers were the standard humidification system
for low flow oxygen in these applications. The Vapotherm
2000i allows delivery of breathing gases heated to body
temperature and at nearly 100% relative humidity by nasal
cannula from 1-8 LPM without airway drying or cooling.
By contrast, flow from a bubble humidification system
is well below body temperature and has a significant
water deficit.
Low Flow Application:
Supplemental oxygen delivery for spontaneously breathing patients.
Benefits:
- The effects of heat and molecular humidity
optimize the use of nasal cannula allowing the
practitioner to utilize higher flows
- Provides the practitioner with the ability
to deliver high flows without adverse side effects
and patient discomfort including: nasal drying,
bleeding, and septal breakdown
- Higher flows provide numerous clinical benefits
- In the NICU environment, use of Vapotherm
allows practitioners and family members to easily
feed, hold and care for patients versus other
modalities which make interface with the patient
more difficult (1)
Accessories:
In addition to the specially designed vapor transfer
cartridge, Vapotherm has created a line of cannulas to
be used specifically for low flow applications. Cannula sizes include premature, neonatal, infant and intermediate infant. View the Vapotherm accessories.
References:
- Steven Powell 2005: Nursing satisfaction of nasal positive distending pressure devices in the newborn intensive care unit, Respiratory Care, November 2005.
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