Transcend’s HME; How This Hospital-Proven Technology Works in Our CPAP

Today most CPAP users depend on a heated water chamber to provide humidified air. We learned from recent surveys conducted by Somnetics, LLC, (the maker of Transcend), that there’s still a bit of “mystery” for folks about the HME.

So, to demystify the HME…here’s a short primer.

Transcend is the first CPAP to use HME technology. It is what helps to make the device so small and portable. HME stands for heat moisture exchanger. An HME looks like a small, round sponge…but it packs a punch when it comes to the science behind it. The HME is coated with a hygroscopic chemical, like calcium or lithium chloride, which increases its ability to absorb and release moisture. When you exhale, heat and moisture is lost. The HME recovers that heat and moisture and allows retention and exchange similar to the human nose.

Pretty cool.

HMEs have been used since the 1950s to provide humidified air to patients in hospitals. Today HMEs are standard for providing heated and moisturized air to mechanically ventilated patients in critical and chronic care situations. They don’t require external power and have no moving parts to fail or wear out. Plus, HMEs can’t deliver excess heat and moisture—something a heated humidifier can sometimes do—and are safe and comfortable for patients. In fact, they  may actually reduce the risk of contamination.

Watch the Fitting Transcend video to see the HME up close.

Is this information helpful? What questions do you have about the HME used in Transcend?