# US 2016/0354574 A1 · Water out alarm

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- Number: US 2016/0354574 A1
- Document ID: US20160354574A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 15/174,485
- Filed: 2016-06-06
- Published: 2016-12-08
- Earliest claimed: 2010-04-27
- Assignees: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Applicants: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
- Inventors: Dean Antony Barker; Jack Che-Wei Hsu; Jae Chul Han
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354574A1

## CPC

- A61M 16/16: Devices to humidify the respiration air {(A61M16/1045 takes precedence)}
- A61M 16/0051: {with alarm devices}
- A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor}
- A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps}
- A61M 16/0069: {the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation}
- A61M 16/024: {including calculation means, e.g. using a processor}
- A61M 16/0666: {Nasal cannulas or tubing (devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02)}
- 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 16/127: {by Venturi effect, i.e. entrainment mixers}
- A61M 16/161: {with means for measuring the humidity}
- A61M 16/20: Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
- H05B 1/025: {For medical applications}
- A61M 16/0841: {for sampling}
- A61M 16/162: {Water-reservoir filling system, e.g. automatic}
- A61M 2016/0021: {with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor}
- A61M 2016/0027: {pressure meter}
- A61M 2016/003: {with a flowmeter}
- A61M 2016/0039: {in the inspiratory circuit}
- A61M 2202/0208: Oxygen
- A61M 2205/18: with alarm
- A61M 2205/3368: Temperature
- A61M 2205/3379: Masses, volumes, levels of fluids in reservoirs, flow rates
- 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)}
- H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL

## Abstract

The present invention provides for an improved method of determining a water out condition in a humidified gases supply apparatus. The method includes a two step process including a primary determination of a water out condition and a secondary determination of a water out condition. This primary determination is made during observation of the normal operation of the apparatus. During the secondary determination the method takes temporary control over the humidifying part of the apparatus. The secondary determination confirms or contradicts the primary determination.

## Claims

### Claim at position 1

-15. (canceled)

### Claim 16

An integrated humidified gases supply apparatus comprising:
a casing;
a flow generator configured to provide a flow of gases;
a humidifier including a humidifier chamber and a heater plate, the humidifier chamber configured to contain water;
a nasal cannula configured to provide the flow of gases to a patient; and
a controller,
wherein the humidifier and the flow generator are integrated in the casing, and
wherein the controller is configured to monitor apparatus conditions during use of the apparatus and to determine a possible absence of water in the humidifier chamber.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 16, wherein the flow generator includes a fan, and the controller is configured to adjust an output of the flow generator by controlling a speed of the fan.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 16, comprising a delivery conduit configured to provide the flow of gases from the humidifier chamber to the nasal cannula.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 17, wherein the delivery conduit is configured to be heated by a heater wire.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 16, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide oxygen or an oxygen fraction to the patient.

### Claim 21 (depends on 20)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 20, comprising a flow control mechanism including a valve configured to control a flow rate of the gases and/or to provide an oxygen fraction to the patient.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 16, comprising an ambient temperature sensor within, near, or on the casing, and/or a heater plate temperature sensor.

### Claim 23 (depends on 16)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 16, comprising a humidifier exit port temperature sensor at or proximal to an exit of the humidifier chamber, or at an apparatus end of a delivery conduit connecting the humidifier chamber to the nasal cannula.

### Claim 24 (depends on 16)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 16, comprising a flow probe configured to measure a flow rate of the gases.

### Claim 25 (depends on 16)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 16, comprising a patient end temperature sensor at or close to a patient end of a delivery conduit connecting the humidifier chamber to the nasal cannula, or in or on the nasal cannula.

### Claim 26

An integrated humidified gases supply apparatus comprising:
a casing;
a flow generator including a fan configured to provide a flow of gases;
a humidifier including a humidifier chamber and a heater plate, the humidifier chamber configured to contain water; and
a controller,
wherein the humidifier, the flow generator, and the controller are integrated in the casing, and
wherein the controller is configured to adjust a flow rate output of the flow generator by controlling a speed of the fan, to monitor apparatus conditions during use of the apparatus and to determine a possible absence of water in the humidifier chamber.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to determine a possible absence of water by:
monitoring a temperature of the gases leaving the humidifier chamber,
monitoring a power applied to the heater plate, and
determining a possible absence of water based on a function of the temperature of the gases leaving the humidifier chamber and the power applied to the heater plate.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to determine a possible absence of water by:
making a primary determination of an absence of water, and
making a secondary determination of an absence of water.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 28, wherein, in making the secondary determination, the controller is configured to interrupt a normal control of the apparatus and to take over control of a heater plate power input.

### Claim 30 (depends on 26)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 26, wherein, upon the determination of the absence of water, the controller is configured to output the determination of the absence of water to activate a user alert, and/or to reduce or remove a power applied to the heater plate.

### Claim 31 (depends on 26)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus is configured to provide oxygen or an oxygen fraction to a user.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 31, comprising a flow control mechanism including a valve configured to control a flow rate of the gases and/or to provide an oxygen fraction to the user.

### Claim 33 (depends on 26)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 26, comprising an ambient temperature sensor within, near, or on the casing, and/or a heater plate temperature sensor.

### Claim 34 (depends on 26)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 26, comprising a humidifier exit port temperature sensor at or proximal to an exit of the humidifier chamber.

### Claim 35 (depends on 26)

The integrated humidified gases supply apparatus of claim 26, comprising a flow probe configured to measure a flow rate of the gases.