Breathing assistance apparatus with serviceability features

A breathing assistance device comprising:

• a flow generator;
• a humidifier chamber configured to hold water near a heating element and allow gases to flow across a water surface;
• a conduit comprising a heater wire, the conduit arranged to receive gases flowing from the flow generator and the humidifier chamber and pass them toward a user of the breathing assistance device;
• and
• a display adapted to provide visual information to the user;
• the device configured to perform a warm-up procedure by energizing the heating element to heat the contents of the humidifier chamber while the display indicates on-going warm up;
• the device further configured to operate the flow generator upon completion of warm-up procedure such that the device provides flow therapy at a set humidity and flow rate while the display shows flow therapy data;
• the device further configured to operate in a drying mode by heating the heater wire and causing gas to flow through the conduit while indicating the drying mode with the display.

A high-flow breathing assistance device configured to:

• operate in a warm up mode where a heating element heats water in a humidification chamber;
• use a blower to establish a flow of gases through the humidification chamber;
• use the chamber and blower to provide humidified, therapeutic flow therapy of gases flowing at a rate of 15 L/min. or greater;
• use the blower to provide a dry flow of gases;
• and
• use sensors, a controller, display, and buttons to:
• indicate when the device is heating the water;
• provide real-time information regarding the humidified flow of gases;
• and
• indicate when the device is providing the dry flow of gases.

A breathing assistance apparatus configurable for high-flow therapy, the apparatus comprising:

• a flow generator configurable to provide a flow of gases within a range of approximately 15 L/min. to 40 L/min.;
• a chamber configured to contain water such that the flow of gases passes over the surface of the water and becomes humidified;
• a heater plate positioned and configured to heat the water in the chamber;
• and
• a display and associated buttons;
• the apparatus further configured to operate in at least three different ways such that:
• for warm up, the heater plate warms up the water and the display indicates to wait before use;
• for therapy, the flow generator provides a therapeutic flow of gases at or above 15 L/min., which entrain humidity, and the display provides information regarding the therapeutic flow;
• and
• for drying, the heater plate cools down, the flow generator continues to provide a flow of gases, and the display indicates that drying is occurring.