Delivery of respiratory gases

A tube system configured for use in a respiratory assistance system comprising:

• a gases supply tube configured to extend between a gases source and a humidification apparatus and configured to transport respiratory gases from the gases source to the humidification apparatus,
• an inspiratory tube configured to couple between a humidification apparatus and a patient interface and configured to transport respiratory gases from the humidification apparatus to a patient, and
• a thermal insulation component configured to insulate at least a part of the inspiratory tube,
• wherein the inspiratory tube comprises a first end and a second end,
• a heating mechanism configured to heat the respiratory gases within the inspiratory tube, and
• a sensor configured to determine a characteristic of the respiratory gases flow and configured to provide feedback to a control system within the humidification apparatus, said feedback used to control a duty cycle of a heating element of the humidification apparatus.