Humidifier with parallel gas flow paths
AssigneeFisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
InventorsPaul John Seakins, Malcolm David Smith, Mohammad Thudor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A humidifier and humidity sensor is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus. The humidity sensor preferably includes means to sense absolute humidity, relative humidity and/or temperature at both the patient end and humidifier end. The humidifier may also include provision to both control independently the humidity and temperature of the gases. Further, a chamber manifold is disclosed to facilitate easy connection of the humidifier to various outlets, inlets and sensors. A heated conduit is described which provides a more effective temperature profile along its length.
Claims15
Humidification apparatus for providing humidified gas to a patient or other person in need of such gas comprising:
- an inlet for receiving gas,
- a humidifier configured to provide water vapour to at least some of said gas received at said inlet so that at least same of the received gas is humidified and/or heated,
- an outlet through which humidified and/or heated gas is discharged from the humidifier,
- an air heater configured to directly heat at least some of said gas passing through said humidification apparatus, in parallel to said humidifier,
- at least one sensor configured to provide an indication of at least two of, relative humidity, absolute humidity and temperature of said gas,
- a controller or processor configured to energise said humidifier and said air heater to achieve a combination of any two of predetermined absolute humidity, predetermined relative humidity and predetermined temperature of said gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.