HME & breathing filters

Heat and moisture exchangers (HMEs) and breathing filters for tracheostomy, ventilation and cough assist. An HME, often called a Swedish nose, captures warmth and moisture from each breath out and returns it on the next breath in. It does the job of the nose and upper airway when they are bypassed by a tracheostomy.

Our range includes tracheostomy HMEs from ICU Medical (Thermovent T and T2), Hudson (Trach-Vent), Parker, DAR, Intersurgical (Hydro-Therm) and Atos (TrachPhone, with a speech valve). We also stock combined filter/HMEs and bacterial/viral breathing filters for ventilator and cough assist circuits.

21 Products Found

HME, HMEF or breathing filter?

Type What it does Examples
Tracheostomy HME (Swedish nose) Warms and humidifies inhaled air for people breathing on their own through a tracheostomy Thermovent T and T2, Hudson Trach-Vent, Parker HME, TrachPhone
HMEF (combined filter/HME) Humidifies and filters bacteria and viruses, usually at the patient end of a ventilator circuit Thermovent 600, Humid-Vent filters, DAR electrostatic filter HME
Breathing filter Filters bacteria and viruses without adding humidity, often at the machine end of the circuit Intersurgical Flo-Guard and Air-Guard Clear, DAR Barrierbac, F&P RT016 and RT019
Stoma filter Covers a laryngectomy stoma to filter, warm and moisten incoming air Kapitex Laryngofoam
Check the connector size (usually 15 mm or 22 mm), dead space and tidal volume range against the patient and circuit. Some breathing filters are only for use at the machine end. Most HMEs are single use and need replacing at least every 24 hours, or sooner if soiled. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and your clinical team's advice.

For oxygen with an HME, see the Thermovent oxygen delivery aid in this range. For heated humidification, see humidification. For tracheostomy tubes and ties, see tracheostomy & laryngectomy. For catheter mounts, see catheter mounts & connectors.