Heating arrangements for humidification systems
AssigneeFisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
InventorsRichard John Boyes, Andrew Martin Letton, Jeremy Livingston Miller, Andrew John Partington, Nordyn Alami
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
A humidifier comprising:
- a heater for heating a liquid in a reservoir that is part of or is received by the humidifier;
- wherein the heater comprises an electrically conductive plastic (ECP) material and a thermoconductive layer that is non-electrically conductive at least partially covering the ECP material, the ECP material including an electrically conductive additive or a doping agent distributed therethrough or being an intrinsically conductive plastic,
- wherein the thermoconductive layer is disposed between the electrically conductive plastic (ECP) material and the liquid,
- wherein the thermoconductive layer comprises visually pronounced features which are observable to an unaided eye that form or function as a heat sink to improve a contact area between the thermoconductive layer and the liquid, and
- wherein the thermoconductive layer is uncovered within the reservoir.
A humidifier comprising:
- a heater for heating a liquid in a reservoir that is part of or is received by the humidifier;
- wherein the heater is comprising an electrically conductive plastic (ECP) material and a thermoconductive layer that is non-electrically conductive directly covering the ECP material, the ECP material including an electrically conductive additive or a doping agent distributed therethrough or being an intrinsically conductive plastic,
- wherein the thermoconductive layer is configured to be in contact with the liquid, wherein the thermoconductive layer comprises macrostructures that improve a contact area between the thermoconductive layer and the liquid,
- wherein the electrically conductive plastic (ECP) material forms a heater plate, and
- wherein the heater is located in or forms part of a wall or base of the reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.