Humidification system

A heater base for supplying humidified gases to a patient, the heater base comprising:

• a guard comprising a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end each being able to move between a first position and a second position;
• an anti-racking mechanism operatively coupled to the guard;
• and
• an inner surface, the anti-racking mechanism configured to contact the inner surface, wherein when the anti-racking mechanism moves along the inner surface, movement of the first end of the guard causes coordinated movement of the second end of the guard such that the entire guard translates perpendicular to the inner surface.

A heater base for supplying humidified gases to a patient, the heater base comprising:

• a base portion, the base portion comprising a recessed region;
• a heater plate positioned in the recessed region, the heater plate being able to contact a heat conductive portion of a removable humidification chamber;
• a guard extending along a front portion of the base portion, the guard comprising a first end and a second end, the guard being able to move between a first position and a second position, the first position allows the removable humidification chamber to access the heater plate and the recessed region, the second position allows the guard to retain the removable humidification chamber against removal from the heater base, wherein the guard moves independent of the base portion and the heater plate;
• and
• an anti-racking mechanism coupled to the guard, the anti-racking mechanism cooperating with the guard such that movement of the first end causes coordinated movement of the second end.