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US 12,678,583 B2Granted
Moisture detection in gases conveying medical conduits
AssigneeFisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
InventorsPeter Alan Seekup, Luke Morgan Gemmell, Alex Young, Elmo Benson Stoks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Detection of moisture conditions in a conduit, particularly a gases supply system conduit for supplying respiratory or surgical gases, using an electrical property of the conduit.
Claims25
A humidifier system useable in a gases supply system, the humidifier system comprising:
- a conduit comprising:
- a first electrically conductive element;
- and
- a second electrically conductive element;
- a humidifier including an electrical connector, the electrical connector including a first electrical terminal or pad;
- and a second electrical terminal or pad, the first electrical terminal or pad and the second electrical terminal or pad are configured to electrically couple with the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element;
- and
- a controller configured to monitor a signal using one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element to determine a value indicative of moisture in the conduit based at least in part on the signal;
- wherein the signal is indicative of a capacitance, or a change in capacitance, between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
6 more elements
A cartridge for use with a humidifier in a respiratory or surgical humidification system, the cartridge comprising:
- one or more sensors for sensing a property of a gases flow in a removable humidification chamber of the humidifier;
- a first electrical connector configured to make a first electrical connection with a corresponding electrical connector of the humidifier;
- a second electrical connector configured to make a second electrical connection with a corresponding electrical connector of an inspiratory conduit removably engageable with the cartridge, wherein the second electrical connector comprises at least a first electrical terminal or pad and a second electrical terminal or pad, the first electrical terminal or pad and the second electrical terminal or pad configured to make an electrical coupling respectively with a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element, and wherein the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element extend along at least a portion of a length of the inspiratory conduit;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled with the one or more sensors, the first electrically conductive element, and the second electrically conductive element;
- wherein the controller is configured to monitor a signal using the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, the signal indicative of a capacitance, or a change in capacitance, between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, and determine a value indicative of moisture in the inspiratory conduit based at least in part on the signal.
3 more elements
A humidifier system useable in a gases supply system for supplying gases through a conduit comprising a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element, the humidifier system comprising:
- a humidifier configured to connect to the conduit, the humidifier comprising:
- an electrical connector comprising:
- a first electrical terminal or pad;
- and
- a second electrical terminal or pad;
- wherein the first electrical terminal or pad and the second electrical terminal or pad are configured to electrically couple with the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element;
- and
- a controller configured to monitor a signal using one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element to determine a value indicative of moisture in the conduit based at least in part on the signal;
- wherein the signal is indicative of a capacitance, or a change in capacitance, between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.