# US 11,998,702 B2 · Humidifier with a water tub within a pressurized chamber > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,998,702 B2 - Document ID: US11998702B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/124,227 - Filed: 2023-03-21 - Published: 2023-07-13 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2008-09-17 - Assignees: ResMed Pty Ltd - Applicants: ResMed Pty Ltd - Inventors: Alexander Virr; Andrew Roderick Bath; Nathan John Row; Dan Kao; Phoebe Katherine Hill; Nicholas Andrew Earl; Hargopal Verma; Junning Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998702B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps} - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 16/1075: {by influencing the temperature (A61M16/1045 takes precedence)} - A61M 16/109: {the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent} - A61M 16/1095: {in the connecting tubes} - A61M 2205/121: interface between cassette and base - A61M 2205/123: with incorporated reservoirs - A61M 2205/3368: Temperature - A61M 2205/3379: Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates - A61M 2205/3382: Upper level detectors - A61M 2205/3389: Continuous level detection (A61M2205/3393 takes precedence) - A61M 2205/584: having a color code - A61M 2205/587: Lighting arrangements - 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)} ## Abstract A tub is configured to contain a supply of water and is configured to be inserted into a chamber of a humidifier. The tub includes a tub base configured to contain the supply of water. The tub also includes a tub lid and a flow plate provided between the tub base and the tub lid. The flow plate includes a water level indicator configured to indicate a level of the supply of water in the tub base. In addition, the water level indicator includes a generally rectangular portion and a generally triangular portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tub for humidifying a flow of breathable air to be delivered to a patient, the tub comprising: a channel configured to receive the flow of breathable air from a flow generator; an inlet configured to receive the flow of breathable air from the channel; a tub base configured to contain a supply of water; a tub lid detachably connected to the tub base; and a flow plate assembly detachably connected to the tub base, the flow plate assembly including a flow plate having a perimeter, the perimeter including a tub seal, the flow plate forming part of a pathway for the pressurized air to be delivered, in use, from the channel to the tub base, wherein the perimeter of the flow plate includes a frame with a horizontal portion and a vertical wall projecting below the horizontal portion and inwardly spaced from an edge of the horizontal portion, the horizontal portion including an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the tub seal includes a first portion that engages an outer perimeter of the vertical wall and is positioned under the lower surface, and second portion that is positioned on the upper surface of the horizontal portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, further comprising a water level indicator that is configured to indicate a level of the supply of water in the tub base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, wherein the flow plate extends inwardly relative to the perimeter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, wherein the flow plate has an inner plate portion that extends to a substantially central portion of the tub. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tub of claim 4, wherein the flow plate includes a bridge that connects the perimeter to the inner plate portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The tub of claim 4, wherein the inner plate portion comprises plastic material and the tub seal comprises elastic material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the tub seal form a continuous, unitary construction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, wherein the first portion engages the tub base and the second portion engages the tub lid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, wherein the channel includes a channel inlet located at a side wall of the tub. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, wherein the tub lid is connected to the tub base by clips and/or a latch. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The tub of claim 1, wherein the tub base is configured to be connected to the flow plate assembly to form a sub-assembly that is configured to releasably connect to the tub lid. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A respiratory apparatus for treating a patient with a respiratory disorder; the apparatus comprising: a flow generator configured to generate a flow of pressurized air; a humidifier including the tub of claim 1 for receiving the flow of pressurized air and delivering it to the patient with added humidity. ### Claim 13 A tub for humidifying a flow of breathable air to be delivered to a patient, the tub comprising: a tub base configured to contain a supply of water; an inlet to receive the flow of breathable air; a tub lid detachably connected to the tub base; and a flow plate assembly detachably connected to the tub base, the flow plate assembly including a flow plate having a perimeter, the perimeter including a tub seal, the flow plate forming part of a pathway for the pressurized air to be delivered, in use, to the tub base, wherein the flow plate has an inner plate portion positioned between the tub base and the tub lid, the inner plate portion extending inwardly relative to the perimeter to a substantially central portion of the tub where, the inner plate portion forming the part of the pathway, and wherein the inner plate portion comprises a plastic material that forms the part of the pathway, and the tub seal comprises elastic material, and wherein the perimeter of the flow plate assembly includes a frame with a horizontal portion and a vertical wall of the plastic material projecting below the horizontal portion, the vertical wall comprising a wedge radially outwards when the tub is assembled. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tub of claim 13, further comprising a water level indicator that is configured to indicate a level of the supply of water in the tub base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The tub of claim 13, wherein the flow plate includes a bridge that connects the perimeter to the inner plate portion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The tub of claim 13, wherein the vertical wall is inwardly spaced from an edge of the horizontal portion, the horizontal portion including an upper surface and a lower surface, and wherein the tub seal includes a first portion that engages an outer perimeter of the vertical wall and is positioned under the lower surface, and second portion that is positioned on the upper surface of the horizontal portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The tub of claim 16, wherein the first and second portions of the seal form a continuous, unitary construction. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The tub of claim 16, wherein the first portion engages the tub base and the second portion engages the tub lid. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The tub of claim 13, further comprising a channel configured to deliver the flow of breathable air to the inlet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The tub of claim 19, wherein the channel includes a channel inlet located at a side wall of the tub. ### Claim 21 (depends on 13) The tub of claim 13, wherein the tub base is configured to be connected to the flow plate assembly to form a sub-assembly that is configured to releasably connect to the tub lid. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) A respiratory apparatus for treating a patient with a respiratory disorder; the apparatus comprising: a flow generator configured to generate a flow of pressurized air; a humidifier including the tub of claim 13 for receiving the flow of pressurized air and delivering it to the patient with added humidity. ### Claim 23 A tub for humidifying a flow of breathable air to be delivered to a patient, the tub comprising: a tub base configured to contain a supply of water; a channel configured to receive the flow of breathable air from a flow generator; an inlet to receive the flow of breathable air from the channel; a tub lid connected to the tub base; and a flow plate connected to the tub base, the flow plate including a perimeter portion extending inwardly beyond an inner perimeter of the tub, the flow plate including plastic material, the flow plate forming part of a pathway for the breathable air to be delivered, in use, from the channel to the tub base, the flow plate having a horizontal surface configured to seal with the tub lid when the tub lid is closed relative to the tub base, the flow plate having a vertical portion extending transverse to the horizontal surface, the vertical portion being configured to seal with the tub base and being spaced inwardly from an edge of the horizontal surface. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A respiratory apparatus for treating a patient with a respiratory disorder; the apparatus comprising: a flow generator configured to generate a flow of pressurized air; a humidifier including the tub of claim 23 for receiving the flow of pressurized air and delivering it to the patient with added humidity.