Vapotherm
An American medical-device company specializing in heated, humidified high-flow respiratory therapy systems.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Vapotherm is a United States medical-technology company headquartered in Exeter, New Hampshire. Established in 1999, it developed around heated and humidified high-flow therapy delivered through a nasal cannula, a form of non-invasive respiratory support intended for patients with respiratory distress. The company’s products are designed to supply conditioned respiratory gases at high flow rates while supporting clinical management of patients who may not require immediate invasive ventilation. The company’s history has been closely associated with the development and commercialization of its Vapotherm 2000i system, an early product in its high-flow therapy portfolio. In 2005, Vapotherm recalled the 2000i after contaminated devices were associated with an outbreak of Ralstonia mannitolilytica among children in the United States. The company worked with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on operating procedures and risk reduction. The system was subsequently returned to the market after regulatory and operational revisions. Vapotherm introduced the Precision Flow system in 2009 as a successor to the 2000i. Precision Flow integrated an electronic flow meter, electronic gas blender, and internal oxygen analyzer into the device. It became the company’s principal capital equipment platform for high-flow therapy. The portfolio was later expanded with a Precision Flow configuration calibrated for an 80:20 helium–oxygen mixture, known as heliox, through an agreement with Praxair. Heliox can be used in selected respiratory-care situations where the physical properties of helium may be clinically useful. In addition to therapy units, Vapotherm developed supporting equipment for its platform. In November 2015, it announced the Q50 medical-air compressor, designed specifically for use with Precision Flow. This reflects the company’s strategy of supplying an integrated respiratory-care system rather than only a standalone therapy device. Vapotherm’s business scope centers on respiratory-care equipment and related disposable or supporting components used in hospitals and other clinical settings. Its positioning is that of a specialized medical-device provider focused on high-flow oxygen and respiratory support. The company has served the United States and international markets and has been identified as a publicly traded issuer under the ticker VAPO. Detailed current information about its management, ownership, financial performance, and present product lineup is not established by the supplied reference material.
History
Vapotherm was founded in 1999 in the United States as a medical-device manufacturer. Its initial area of specialization was heated and humidified high-flow therapy delivered through a nasal cannula. This approach was intended to provide non-invasive respiratory support to patients experiencing respiratory distress and to offer clinicians an alternative or intermediate form of support before invasive ventilation. One of the company’s early products was the Vapotherm 2000i respiratory gas humidification system. In 2005, contaminated 2000i devices were associated with an outbreak of Ralstonia mannitolilytica bacteria in children in the United States. Vapotherm issued a recall covering all 2000i devices on October 13, 2005. The episode became a significant event in the company’s history because it raised concerns about device contamination, operating procedures, and patient safety. Vapotherm worked with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to revise the operating manual and reduce the risk associated with use. The 2000i was subsequently reintroduced for use in February 2007. In 2009, Vapotherm released Precision Flow, a new flagship system intended to replace the 2000i. Precision Flow incorporated an integrated electronic flow meter and electronic gas blender, together with an internal oxygen analyzer. These features consolidated important gas-management and monitoring functions in the main unit. The system became Vapotherm’s principal capital device for high-flow therapy and represented a new generation of the company’s respiratory-support platform. Vapotherm also developed specialized configurations and supporting products around Precision Flow. Through an agreement with Praxair, the company offered Precision Flow Heliox, calibrated for an 80:20 helium–oxygen gas mixture. Heliox is used in selected clinical circumstances in which its gas characteristics may assist respiratory therapy. The company later broadened its equipment offering beyond the core therapy unit. In November 2015, it announced the Vapotherm Q50 Compressor, a medical-air compressor specifically designed for use with Precision Flow. Across these stages, Vapotherm’s identity remained concentrated on high-flow respiratory care rather than broad-based medical equipment. Its product development moved from an early humidification and high-flow platform, through a recall and subsequent reintroduction, to a more integrated electronic system and a supporting compressor. The company is based in Exeter, New Hampshire, serves United States and international markets, and has been associated with the public-market ticker VAPO. The supplied reference material does not provide enough verified information to describe its current executive team, ownership structure, detailed financial results, or post-2015 product developments.
- 2015
Q50 Compressor announced
[1]Vapotherm announced the Q50 medical-air compressor for use with its Precision Flow system in November.
- 2009
Precision Flow launched
[1]The company released Precision Flow as a successor to the 2000i, with integrated electronic flow measurement, gas blending, and oxygen analysis.
- 2007
Vapotherm 2000i reintroduced
[1]After work with the FDA and CDC on operating instructions and risk reduction, the 2000i was reintroduced for use in February.
- 2005
Vapotherm 2000i recall
[1]Vapotherm recalled all 2000i respiratory gas humidification devices on October 13 after contamination concerns connected the devices with a Ralstonia mannitolilytica outbreak in children.
- 1999
Company founded
[1]Vapotherm was established as a medical-device manufacturer focused on heated and humidified high-flow therapy delivered through a nasal cannula.
Products and positioning
A specialized medical-device provider focused on heated, humidified high-flow respiratory therapy and integrated respiratory-support equipment.
Heated and humidified high-flow respiratory therapy system
Vapotherm 2000i
The Vapotherm 2000i was an early Vapotherm respiratory gas humidification and high-flow therapy system. It was recalled in 2005 after contaminated devices were associated with a bacterial outbreak in children in the United States. Following collaboration with the FDA and CDC and revisions to operating procedures, the system was reintroduced in 2007.
High-flow respiratory therapy system · 2009
Precision Flow
Released in 2009, Precision Flow became Vapotherm’s flagship capital device for high-flow therapy and was designed to replace the 2000i. Its architecture integrated an electronic flow meter, electronic gas blender, and internal oxygen analyzer into the main unit, combining respiratory-gas delivery and monitoring functions in one platform.
Heliox-compatible high-flow respiratory therapy system
Precision Flow Heliox
Precision Flow Heliox is a configuration of the Precision Flow platform calibrated for an 80:20 helium–oxygen mixture. Vapotherm provided the product through an agreement with Praxair for patients who might benefit from heliox therapy. The supplied material does not establish current availability or regulatory status.
Medical-air compressor · 2015
Vapotherm Q50 Compressor
The Q50 Compressor is a medical-air compressor announced by Vapotherm in November 2015. It was designed specifically to support operation of the company’s Precision Flow high-flow respiratory therapy equipment, extending Vapotherm’s offering into complementary infrastructure for its respiratory-care platform.
Controversies
2005
Vapotherm 2000i contamination and bacterial-outbreak controversy
Contaminated Vapotherm 2000i respiratory gas humidification devices were associated with an outbreak of Ralstonia mannitolilytica among children in the United States. Vapotherm recalled all 2000i units, then worked with the FDA and CDC on revised operating guidance and risk controls before the product was reintroduced.
Brand decisions
2015
Launch of the Q50 CompressorProduct launchBackground
Precision Flow required a suitable medical-air supply for use in clinical environments.
Action taken
Vapotherm announced the Q50 medical-air compressor specifically for use with Precision Flow.
Aftermath
The announcement expanded Vapotherm’s platform offering beyond the primary respiratory therapy device.
2009
Replacement of the 2000i with Precision FlowGeneration changeBackground
Vapotherm sought to advance its high-flow respiratory-therapy platform after the 2000i era.
Action taken
The company released Precision Flow with integrated electronic flow measurement, gas blending, and oxygen analysis.
Aftermath
Precision Flow became the company’s flagship capital unit for high-flow therapy.
2005
Recall of the Vapotherm 2000iOtherBackground
Contaminated 2000i devices were associated with a Ralstonia mannitolilytica outbreak in children in the United States.
Action taken
Vapotherm recalled all 2000i respiratory gas humidification devices on October 13 and worked with the FDA and CDC to revise operating procedures.
Aftermath
The 2000i was reintroduced for use in February 2007 after changes intended to reduce patient risk.
Recent events
- 2015
Vapotherm announces the Q50 Compressor[1]
Product launch
In November 2015, Vapotherm announced the Q50 medical-air compressor for use with its Precision Flow respiratory-therapy system.
- 2009
Vapotherm introduces Precision Flow[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Vapotherm released Precision Flow as a successor to the 2000i, incorporating an electronic flow meter, electronic blender, and internal oxygen analyzer.
- 2007
Vapotherm 2000i returns to the market after revised operating procedures[1]
Recall · Regulation
Following work with the FDA and CDC to revise the operating manual and reduce patient risk, Vapotherm reintroduced the 2000i for use in February 2007.
Sources2 sources
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