# US 11,027,089 B2 · Heating arrangements for humidification systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,089 B2 - Document ID: US11027089B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/722,688 - Filed: 2019-12-20 - Published: 2020-05-14 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-21 - Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited - Inventors: Jeremy Livingston Miller; Nordyn Alami; Andrew John Partington - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027089B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/109: {the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent} - A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - B01F 23/23: by introducing gases into liquid media, e.g. for producing aerated liquids - F24F 3/14: by humidification; by dehumidification - A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/1095: {in the connecting tubes} - A61M 2205/0283: Electro-active polymers [EAP] - A61M 2205/3368: Temperature - A61M 2205/3673: thermo-electric, e.g. Peltier effect, thermocouples, semi-conductors - A61M 2206/14: Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B01F: MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING (mixing paints B44D3/06) - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) ## Abstract An electrically conductive plastic (ECP) material can be used to heat water in a reservoir of a respiratory humidifier to encourage heating and/or humidification of gases passing through the respiratory humidifier. The electrically conductive plastic material can at least in part overmould the base and/or walls of the chamber and/or the reservoir of the respiratory humidifier. The reservoir can also partially or fully be formed from the electrically conductive plastic material. Furthermore, the humidification system can be configured to create substantially equal or differential heating of water in the reservoir. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A humidifier comprising: a reservoir; and an electrically conducting plastic (ECP) structure for heating liquid in the reservoir, wherein the ECP structure comprises an ECP layer and a first supporting layer, wherein the ECP layer is in physical communication with the first supporting layer, and a second supporting layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP layer is disposed between the first supporting layer and the second supporting layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the first supporting layer comprises a film. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP structure is located in or forms part of the reservoir. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP structure is located in or forms part of a chamber for receiving the reservoir. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP layer comprises a section of an ECP material and a section of another material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The humidifier of claim 6, wherein the ECP layer has an irregular thickness along the width and/or the length of the ECP layer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP layer comprises alternating sections of an ECP material and one or more other materials. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP layer comprises a serpentine track of an ECP material in or on another material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP structure is configured to receive electrical or thermal energy. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP layer comprises intrinsically electrically conductive plastics or polymers. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP layer comprises an electrically conducting additive or doping agent. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the ECP layer interfaces with an electrical structure configured to convey electrical and/or thermal energy to the ECP layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The humidifier of claim 1, wherein the first supporting layer comprises an electrically insulative material. ### Claim 15 A humidifier comprising: a reservoir; and an electrically conducting plastic (ECP) structure for heating liquid in the reservoir, wherein the ECP structure comprises an ECP layer and a first supporting layer, wherein the ECP layer is in physical communication with the first supporting layer, wherein the first supporting layer comprises a thermally conductive material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The humidifier of claim 15, wherein the ECP structure is located in or forms part of the reservoir. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The humidifier of claim 15, wherein the ECP structure is configured to receive electrical or thermal energy. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The humidifier of claim 15, wherein the ECP layer interfaces with an electrical structure configured to convey electrical and/or thermal energy to the ECP layer. ### Claim 19 A humidifier comprising: a reservoir; and an electrically conducting plastic (ECP) structure for heating liquid in the reservoir, wherein the ECP structure comprises an ECP layer and a first supporting layer, wherein the ECP layer is coupled to the first supporting layer, wherein the ECP structure is located in or forms part of a chamber for receiving the reservoir. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The humidifier of claim 19, wherein the ECP layer comprises a section of an ECP material and a section of another material.