HMEs and HMEFs

	In normal respiration the anatomy of the upper airway helps to warm and humidify inspired air, and to retain the warmth and moisture contained in expired air. During inspiration, even cold or dry air is typically heated to 37°C/98.6°F and when fully saturated, contains 44mg H₂O/L. In mechanical ventilation or anesthesia, the patient’s upper airway may be bypassed by the introduction of a tracheal tube. As a result the patient’s lungs may be confronted with cold dry inspired gas.						Prolonged exposure to dry ventilatory gases can lead to: • Localized inflammation of the trachea • A reduction in ciliary function • Retention and thickening of secretions • Lowering of patient temperature • Reduction in cardiopulmonary function • Increased risk of tracheostomy tube occlusion • Extended duration and cost of care
	HME and HMEF Media Our range of Heat and Moisture Exchangers (HMEs) and Heat and Moisture Exchanging Filters (HMEFs) include foam or corrugated paper in combination with a filter pad. Regardless of which type of material, the aim is to provide a large surface area with low resistance to flow making them effective as a heat and moisture exchanger.
	Humidification Effectiveness The Intersurgical range of HMEs and HMEFs have been tested independently at TiM Germany ⁽³⁾ in accordance with the test methodology described in ISO 9360-1:2000 ⁽⁴⁾. Visit our filtration and humidification page for further details.


	Our range of HMEs for ventilation and spontaneously breathing patients improve the humidification of inspired gases. Also known as passive humidification, this requires an HME to be positioned within the breathing system close to the patient’s airway. The HME is designed to replicate the functions of the upper airway, conserving the patient’s own expired heat and moisture and returning it to the patient on their next inspiration. We offer a wide and comprehensive range of HMEs with a variety of efficiencies, sizes and shapes to ensure maximum customer choice while meeting clinical requirements. Take a look at our range below, or click on the image to visit the relevant product page.						The common features of Intersurgical’s HMEs include: • Designed for use within anesthesia, intensive care and home care environments. • While providing some physical protection they do not provide bacterial or viral protection for the patient. • The humidity output for all HMEs is tested and validated in accordance with ISO 9360-1:2000⁽⁴⁾.
	Our HME range The products included in this range are listed below and they are available to order with various accessories:
	Hydro-Therm™ HME is a small volume, lightweight device clinically suitable over a wide range of patient sizes.						Hydro-Therm™ 3 HME is a larger volume HME with rounded housing for use in anesthesia and intensive care.

	A heat and moisture exchanger designed for use on tracheostomized patients, the Hydro-Trach™ T is an ideal product for prolonged use with spontaneously breathing patients. The Hydro-Trach™ T is available in the following options: • Safety anti-occlusion mechanism • Swivel oxygen stem • Suction port
	The Hydro-Trach T™ is a small volume, lightweight device which is clinically suitable over a wide range of patient sizes. The normal system of temperature and moisture maintenance is bypassed by the insertion of a tracheostomy tube. The possible loss of heat and moisture can lead to serious complications, notably damage to cilia and the mucous glands. This in turn may result in atelectasis, the retention of sputum, production of mucous plugs and potential tube occasion.


	The Intersurgical range of heat and moisture exchanging filters (HMEFs) combines the filtration efficiency of dedicated breathing filters with optimum moisture return provided by the addition of an HME element. Designed for use at the patient connection. We offer a wide and comprehensive choice of HMEFs with a variety of efficiencies, sizes and shapes to ensure maximum customer choice while meeting clinicial requirements.						The common features of Intersurgical’s HMEFs include: • Range of filtration efficiency between >99.9% and >99.999% • Independently validated against clinically relevant bacterial and viral challenges. • Optimum level of humidification of medical gases • Independently tested to ISO9360.⁽⁴⁾ • For use in breathing systems within intensive care and anesthesia. • Maximum recommended use of 24 hours.
	Our HMEF product range The products included in this range are listed below and they are available to order with various accessories:
	A high-efficiency HMEF offered with a variety of patient connections.						The Inter-Therm™ range of sterile HMEFs is designed for use in breathing systems in the operating room and intensive care unit. The Inter-Therm includes corrugated paper HME media, providing excellent humidification and low resistance properties. Inter-Therm Mini angled offers an easy to use option with an integral 90° elbow for pediatrics, reducing the need for an additional catheter mount or separate patient elbow.
	Clear-Therm™ 3 - HMEF for use in anesthesia and intensive care representing our optimal combination of performance and cost effectiveness Clear-Therm™ Micro - An ultra low volume option for optimum care and protection of ventilated pediatric patients.						Clear-Therm™ Mini - A low volume option for optimum care and protection of ventilated pediatric patients.

Reference 3: Technologie Institut Medizin GmbH (TiM)
Reference 4: Anaesthetic and respiratory equipment, Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) for humidifying respired gases in humans. Part 1: HMEs for use with minimum tidal volumes for 250ml.