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A respiratory humidification system having a capillary passage in communication with a ventilator, the ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream, a heater operable to at least partially vaporize water in the capillary passage, a pumping unit adapted to supply water to the capillary passage, wherei

A respiratory humidification system having a capillary passage in communication with a ventilator, the ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream, a heater operable to at least partially vaporize water in the capillary passage, a pumping unit adapted to supply water to the capillary passage, wherein the water upon heating is at least partially vaporized to form an aerosol stream. The aerosol stream is combined with the air stream to form a humidified air stream.

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1. A respiratory humidification system, comprising: a capillary passage in communication with a ventilator, the ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream;a heater operable to at least partially vaporize water in the capillary passage;a pumping unit adapted to supply water to the capillary passage,

1. A respiratory humidification system, comprising: a capillary passage in communication with a ventilator, the ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream;a heater operable to at least partially vaporize water in the capillary passage;a pumping unit adapted to supply water to the capillary passage, wherein the water upon heating is at least partially vaporized to form an aerosol stream, and wherein the aerosol stream is combined with the air stream to form a humidified air stream;a controller having an on-off switch and programmed such that the controller is configured to continuously operate the pump and to maintain the capillary in a heated condition when the controller switch is on; anda water recirculation arrangement to accommodate continuous operation of the pumping unit. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pumping unit delivers the water to the capillary passage at a pressure of approximately 10 to 80 psig. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the water is supplied from a pressurized water supply. 4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a filter adapted to demineralize water supplied from the pressurized water supply. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the heater is adapted to produce aerosol particles having a particle size of less than 2 microns. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol stream from the capillary passage is directed in a coaxial relation with respect to the air stream from the ventilator. 7. The system of claim 3, wherein the capillary passage is a capillary tube having at least one heater body operable to heat the capillary tube to a temperature range effective to at least partially vaporize the pressurized water in the capillary tube. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a flow tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet of the capillary passage and an outlet adapted for connection to a patient interface device. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the capillary passage comprises: a laminate body having the capillary passage therein, the capillary passage being located between opposed layers of the laminate body which are bonded together; anda heater arranged to heat the water in the capillary passage into at least a partially vaporized state. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the aerosol stream includes aerosols having a particle size of less than 2 microns and wherein the aerosols evaporate upon entrainment with the air stream. 11. A respiratory humidification system, comprising: a heated capillary passage adapted to receive water from a pressurized water supply, which is at least partially vaporized within the heated capillary passage to form an aerosol stream, the heated capillary passage comprising: a capillary passage adapted to form an aerosol when the pressurized water in the capillary passage is heated to volatilize at least some of the pressurized water therein; anda heater arranged to heat the pressurized water in the capillary passage into at least a partially vaporized state;a pumping unit adapted to supply the pressurized water to the capillary passage;a filter operable to demineralize the pressurized water; anda ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream, and wherein the aerosol stream is combined with the air stream to form a humidified gas stream. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the pumping unit delivers the pressurized water to the capillary passage at a pressure of approximately 10 to 80 psig. 13. The system of claim 11, wherein the capillary passage is contained within a housing that interfaces with the air stream from the ventilator. 14. The system of claim 11, wherein the aerosol stream from the capillary passage is directed coaxially with the air stream from the ventilator. 15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a flow tube having an inlet end in fluid communication with an outlet of the capillary passage and an outlet adapted for connection to a patient interface device. 16. The system of claim 11, wherein the capillary passage is comprised a laminate body having the capillary passage therein, the capillary passage being located between opposed layers of the laminate body which are bonded together. 17. A respiratory humidification system haying an enhanced capacity to operate with mineral laden water, the system comprising: a coated capillary passage whose operating temperature is in the range of 120 to 130 degrees Celsius, and which is in communication with a ventilator, the ventilator adapted to deliver an air stream;a heater operable to at least partially vaporize water in the capillary passage; anda pumping unit adapted to supply water to the capillary passage, wherein the water upon heating is at least partially vaporized to form an aerosol stream, and wherein the aerosol stream is combined with the air stream to form a humidified air stream further comprising:a controller having an on-off switch and programmed such that the controller is configured to continuously operate the pump and to maintain the capillary in a heated condition when the controller switch is on; anda water recirculation arrangement to accommodate continuous operation of the pumping unit.