Method of detecting errors in the connections in a humidification system
AssigneeFisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
InventorsPo-Yen Liu, Ivan Chih-Fan Teng, Peter Alan Seekup, Daniel John Smith, Ho Shing Lo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Various control methods can indirectly determine incorrect connections between components in a respiratory therapy system. For example, errors in the connections can occur between a patient interface, a humidifier and/or a gases source. The methods can indirectly detect if a reverse flow condition exists or other error conditions. A reverse flow condition can occur when gases flows in a direction different from an intended direction of flow. The detection of the reverse flow condition can be indicative of likely errors in connections between the humidifier, patient interface and/or gases source.
Claims25
A respiratory humidification system with reverse flow detection, the system comprising:
- a humidifier including:
- a chamber configured to contain a liquid,
- an inlet at the chamber,
- an outlet at the chamber, and
- a humidifier heat source configured to heat the liquid to humidify gases provided by a gases source to the inlet, the humidifier heat source comprising a heater plate,
- wherein, in use, the humidifier is configured to provide the humidified gases to a user via an inspiratory conduit configured to be coupled with the outlet, wherein the gases source, humidifier, and inspiratory conduit are configured to form at least a part of a breathing circuit;
- first and second sensors at or near the inlet and outlet, respectively, the first and second sensors configured to measure an inlet parameter and an outlet parameter, respectively;
- and
- a controller, the controller in electrical communication with the first and second sensors, the controller configured to output an indication when reverse flow conditions are detected based at least in part on the inlet and outlet parameters,
- wherein the inlet parameter and the outlet parameter comprises a flow rate, a power dissipation value, or both the flow rate and the power dissipation value.
A method of detection reverse flow in a respiratory humidification system comprising a humidifier, wherein the humidifier includes a chamber configured to contain a liquid, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, and a humidifier heat source configured to heat the liquid to humidify gases provided by a gases source to the inlet, the humidifier heat source comprising a heater plate, wherein, in use, the humidifier is configured to provide the humidified gases to a user via an inspiratory conduit configured to be coupled with the outlet, wherein the gases source, humidifier, and inspiratory conduit are configured to form at least a part of a breathing circuit, the method comprising:
- using a controller of the system in communication with first and second sensors at or near the inlet and outlet, respectively:
- measuring an inlet parameter and an outlet parameter using the first and second sensors, respectively, wherein the inlet parameter and the outlet parameter each comprise a flow rate, a power dissipation value, or both the flow rate and the power dissipation value;
- and
- outputting an indication when reverse flow conditions are detected based at least in part on the inlet and outlet parameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.