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US 7,559,324 B2Granted
Conduit with heated wick
AssigneeFisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
InventorsDaniel John Smith, David Peter Baldwin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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 flexible conduit for a breathing circuit comprising:
- an inlet,
- an outlet,
- an enclosing outer wall defining a flexible gases passageway between said inlet and said outlet such that respiratory gases flow through said inlet into said flexible gases passageway and through said outlet, at least a region of said enclosing outer wall being of a material that allows the passage of water vapour without allowing the passage of liquid water or respiratory gases through said enclosing outer wall, said at least a region and said outlet are separate from each other, and
- a heater wire associated with said passageway, wherein
- said flexible conduit is of a type suitable for conveying respiratory gases to or from a patient.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.