Humidifying respiratory gases

A method for humidifying respiratory gases, said method comprising:

• receiving electrical energy at a heating element;
• converting, by said heating element, said electrical energy to electromagnetic radiation, wherein said electromagnetic radiation is transferred to a water volume of a humidification component comprising a wall forming a cavity for holding a water volume, said electromagnetic radiation being transferred through at least a portion of said wall that is transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and directing said electromagnetic radiation to said water volume by a portion of said wall comprising a non-transmissive surface, thereby heating said water volume to achieve a heated water volume that produces water vapor;
• and
• flowing respiratory gases across said heated water volume, wherein said water vapor humidifies said respiratory gases.

A method of manufacturing a device for humidifying respiratory gases, said method comprising:

• providing a humidification component comprising a wall forming a cavity for holding a water volume;
• disposing a heating element, configured for receiving electrical energy and converting said electrical energy to electromagnetic radiation, within a base unit;
• and
• coupling said humidification component with said base unit such that said electromagnetic radiation is transferred to said water volume through at least a portion of said wall that is transmissive to said electromagnetic radiation and said electromagnetic radiation is directed to said water volume by a portion of said wall comprising a non-transmissive surface, thereby heating said water volume to achieve a heated water volume, and wherein said heating element is independent of said humidification component.