2.1
HumiGard (Fisher and Paykel Healthcare) is designed to humidify and heat carbon dioxide (CO2) gas, which is routinely used to fill the peritoneal cavity during laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The intention is to reduce the negative effects associated with the use of dry, unwarmed CO2 gas, namely tissue desiccation and intra-operative hypothermia. HumiGard is designed to be used both independently and in addition to other warming measures that are applied to the external body surfaces and extremities, such as forced air warming. HumiGard comprises a humidifier and consumable tubing set. It humidifies and warms the CO2 by passing the gas over a reservoir of water. The heated, humidified gas is then passed along a sterile tube for delivery into the abdominal cavity through a needle cannula. HumiGard can also be applied to open surgical wounds using a bespoke patient interface diffuser to effectively immerse the open surgical wound cavity in warmed, humidified CO2 gas.