Conduit with heated wick
AssigneeFisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
InventorsDaniel John Smith, David Peter Baldwin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A conduit for a breathing circuit includes a heater associated, at least in part, with a portion of hydrophilic material. The purpose of the heater is to evaporate any condensed liquid collecting in the conduit, which is first sucked up by the hydrophilic material. The heated wick reduces the risk of collected water being passed to the patient and causing choking fits or discomfit. It is preferred that the heated wick lies freely in the conduit to settle at low-points in the conduit where condensation may collect.
Claims10
A conduit for a breathing circuit including heating means located within said conduit, said heating mean comprising an elongate heating element covered with an inner hydrophobic insulating layer and at least partially covered with an outer hydrophilic material, there being no means for direct supply of water or fluid to said hydrophilic material from outside said conduit.
A breathing circuit including an expiratory gases flow path and a heating means located within said expiratory gases flow path, said heating means comprising an elongate heating element covered with an inner hydrophobic insulating layer and at least partially covered with an outer hydrophilic material.
A breating circuit as claimed in claim 7 or 12 wherein said expiratory flow passage is defined by at least one conduit wall and at a least a region of said conduit wall is of a breathable material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.