SYSTEM FOR HUMIDIFICATION OF MEDICAL GASES

A humidifier for delivering humidified gases to a patient includes an inlet, an outlet, a gases flow path extending from the inlet to the outlet, a permeable wall, a liquid reservoir, and a heater. The permeable wall separates the gases flow path from the liquid reservoir. The heater heats liquid stored in the liquid reservoir to form vapour, and the vapour passes through the permeable wall to the gases flow path to humidify gases in the gases flow path. Another inline humidifier for delivering humidified gases to a patient includes an inlet and an outlet and holds a tape made of hydrophilic or hygroscopic material. The tape is pre-soaked with water and can include a heating element. The heating element heats the tape and the stored water to release the stored water as vapour and thereby humidify gases passing through the inline humidifier.