Breathing assistance apparatus

A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:

• means for providing gas at a substantially positive mean pressure;
• means for humidifying said gas;
• means for communicating with an external device;
• means for said apparatus being interrogated by said external device;
• means for receiving a predetermined response from said external device depending on said interrogation;
• and
• means for energising said means for providing gas and/or said means for humidifying according to at least two configurations depending on the response of said device.

A method of delivering respiratory gases to a patient comprising the steps of:

• providing gas at a substantially positive mean pressure;
• humidifying said gas;
• communicating with an external device;
• interrogation by said external device;
• receiving a predetermined response from said external device depending on said interrogation;
• and
• providing gas and/or humidity according to at least two configurations depending on the response of said device.

An apparatus for delivering gas to a patient comprising a gas delivery device configured to provide gas at a predetermined pressure level,

• a heater,
• a chamber having an inlet and an outlet,
• said inlet configured to receive gas from said device,
• including a body of water whereby said body of water being heated by said heater providing vapour within said chamber thereby humidifying gases passing from said inlet to said outlet,
• a controller or processor configured to energise said heater according to at least a user selectable level,
• a cover configured to prevent user selection of said heating level and providing an outlet directly from said device,
• wherein when said chamber is installed in proximity to said heater said apparatus delivers humidified gas to a patient at a predetermined pressure level,
• and when said chamber is removed and said cover is installed said apparatus delivers unhumidified gas to a patient at a predetermined pressure level.

An apparatus for delivering gas to a patient comprising a gas delivery device configured to provide gas at a predetermined pressure level,

• a heater,
• a chamber having an inlet and an outlet,
• said inlet configured to receive gas from said device,
• including a body of water whereby said body of water being heated by said heater providing vapour within said chamber thereby humidifying gases passing from said inlet to said outlet,
• a controller or processor configured to energise said heater according to at least a user selectable level,
• a user input configured to selectively enable or disable said heater and/or other functionality associated with said apparatus.