Abstract: A heating apparatus includes a heating element (48) which converts electrical power to heat energy, a heatable element (44) having a first surface and a second surface, and a dielectric laminate layer (46) between the heating element and the first surface of the heatable element, wherein the dielectric laminate layer (46) is thermally conductive to transfer heat energy from the heating element (48) to the heatable element (44), and wherein the second surface of the heatable element is configured heat a liquid in a container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the occurrence of a closed or open apnea. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating a complex quantity representing a patient admittance (12) and comparing its value with ranges (14,16) indicative of open or closed apneas. The method distinguishes open from closed apneas even when the model used to calculate admittance is not based on details of the respiratory apparatus. In addition the patient admittance may be compared with admittance during normal breathing to avoid having to characterize the airway.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the occurrence of a closed or open apnea. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating a complex quantity representing a patient admittance (12) and comparing its value with ranges (14,16) indicative of open or closed apneas. The method distinguishes open from closed apneas even when the model used to calculate admittance is not based on details of the respiratory apparatus. In addition the patient admittance may be compared with admittance during normal breathing to avoid having to characterize the airway.

Abstract: A PAP system for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator to generate a supply of breathable gas to be delivered to the patient; a humidifier including a heating plate to vaporize water and deliver water vapor to humidify the supply of breathable gas; a heated tube configured to heat and deliver the humidified supply of breathable gas to the patient; a power supply configured to supply power to the heating plate and the heated tube; and a controller configured to control the power supply to prevent overheating of the heating plate and the heated tube.

Abstract: A humidifier for humidifying a flow of air to be delivered to a patient includes a base unit having at least one wall defining a receiving space. The base unit also includes a variable volume reservoir configured to hold a body of water and receive the flow of air to humidify the flow of air for delivery to the patient. The receiving space is configured to receive the variable volume reservoir and the variable volume reservoir is conformable to a shape of the receiving space. The humidifier further includes a heater for heating the body of water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the occurrence of a closed or open apnea. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating a complex quantity representing a patient admittance (12) and comparing its value with ranges (14,16) indicative of open or closed apneas. The method distinguishes open from closed apneas even when the model used to calculate admittance is not based on details of the respiratory apparatus. In addition the patient admittance may be compared with admittance during normal breathing to avoid having to characterize the airway.

Abstract: A PAP system for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator to generate a supply of breathable gas to be delivered to the patient; a humidifier including a heating plate to vaporize water and deliver water vapor to humidify the supply of breathable gas; a heated tube configured to heat and deliver the humidified supply of breathable gas to the patient; a power supply configured to supply power to the heating plate and the heated tube; and a controller configured to control the power supply to prevent overheating of the heating plate and the heated tube.

Abstract: A humidifier for humidification of air to be delivered to a patient's airways may include a humidification chamber, a reservoir and a water delivery mechanism. The humidification chamber may include a water retention feature such as a wick that encloses part of the flow path, a heating element for heating the humidification chamber, and an air flow baffle configured to promote humidification. The humidifier may be further configured to execute one or more algorithms, for example to determine a condition of the wick or to detect condensation in the flow path. In some forms, the humidifier may also comprise algorithms for controlling one or more components of the humidifier such as to control the build up of foreign matter on the wick.

Abstract: Methods of an apparatus determine a quantity of a body of water in a humidifier such as by indirect measurement. The quantity of water may be determined by measuring one or more properties or characteristics, from which the quantity of water may be inferred. Characteristics of a flow of air, the humidifier, and/or the body of water may be measured. The characteristics may be, for example, pressure, flow rate, noise, vibration, temperature, electrical or mechanical. These may be measured by one or more sensors, which may be located in the humidifier, RPT device, air circuit or the patient interface. The methods described may have advantages, for example in being able to detect the quantity of water without requiring sensors to be present in a disposable component, and in some cases, without introduction of additional sensors.

Abstract: A respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device is disclosed for treatment of respiratory-related disorders. The RPT device includes a pressure generator, a pneumatic block, a chassis and a device outlet for delivering a supply of flow of gas to a patient interface. The RPT device also comprises an integrated humidifier including a water reservoir. An RPT device is also disclosed that includes a wireless data communication interface integrated with the housing and configured to connect to another device or a network.

Abstract: A flexible tape heater (110) in a patient conduit (112) may be used to heat the flow of gas in the patient conduit (112) that is delivered to the patient mask (116). The thin, flat and extended nature of the flexible tape heater (110) may enhance heat transfer with the gas flow while also providing low impedance to the gas flow. Heating of the gas may facilitate the desired temperature and humidity to be reached for the gas delivered to the patient by the respiratory apparatus. The flexible tape heater (110) may be placed in the patient conduit (112) such that the flexible tape heater (110) is twisted or bent about one or more of the flexible tape heater's (110) three axes. Additionally these configurations may be used to enhance the turbulent mixing of the water vapor produced in the humidification chamber (114) with the gas flow.

Abstract: A flexible tape heater (110) in a patient conduit (112) may be used to heat the flow of gas in the patient conduit (112) that is delivered to the patient mask (116). The thin, flat and extended nature of the flexible tape heater (110) may enhance heat transfer with the gas flow whilst also providing low impedance to the gas flow. Heating of the gas may facilitate the desired temperature and humidity to be reached for the gas delivered to the patient by the respiratory apparatus. The flexible tape heater (110) may be placed in the patient conduit (112) such that the flexible tape heater (110) is twisted or bent about one or more of the flexible tape heater's (110) three axes. Additionally these configurations may be used to enhance the turbulent mixing of the water vapour produced in the humidification chamber (114) with the gas flow.

Abstract: A connection assembly for a respiratory therapy system, comprising: an outlet assembly, said outlet assembly including an outlet housing and a swivelling disc located on said outlet housing, said outlet housing and said swivelling disc defining, at least in part, a recess; an outlet connector located at an end of a tube portion, said outlet connector including an electrical connector; and a cable having a first end to connect to the electrical connector and a second end to connect to at least one electrical component of the respiratory therapy system, said cable having a slack portion, wherein said outlet connector and said swivelling disc are rotatable in unison between a first position and a second position, and wherein the slack portion of the cable extends from the recess and wraps around the swivelling disc as the swivelling disc is rotated from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A PAP system is adapted for treatment of respiratory disease or sleep disordered breathing and includes a headgear adapted for engaging a patient's head. The PAP system also includes a patient interface adapted to be secured to and sealed against a portion of the patient's face, in use, by the headgear. The PAP system further includes a flow generator adapted to be connected to the patient interface. The flow generator is adapted to be secured by a portion of the headgear to the patient's head. In addition, the flow generator includes a blower adapted to provide pressurised breathable gas to a patient through the patient interface. The blower is at least partially vibrationally isolated from the patient's head by at least one foam layer mounted within the flow generator to secure the blower. The at least one foam layer is adapted to reduce the amount of transmitted vibration received by the patient.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods of use adapted for treatment of respiratory disease or sleep disordered breathing include a patient interface (10) adapted to be secured to and sealed against a portion of a patient's face, in use. A flow generator is adapted to be connected to the patient interface and to be secured by a portion of the patient's body. The flow generator includes a blower (50) adapted to provide pressurized breathable gas to a patient through the patient interface. The blower is adapted to be at least partially vibrationally isolated from the patient's body by at least one dampening system (49) or device. The dampening device or system is adapted to reduce the amount of transmitted vibration received by the patient. A PAP system includes a patient interface including sealing arrangement (30) adapted to form a seal with the patient's nose and/or mouth and headgear (40) to support the sealing arrangement in position on the patient's head.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining the occurrence of a closed or open apnea. Respiratory air flow from a patient is measured to give an air flow signal. The determination of an apnea is performed by applying an oscillatory pressure waveform of known frequency to a patient's airway, calculating a complex quantity representing a patient admittance (12) and comparing its value with ranges (14,16) indicative of open or closed apneas. The method distinguishes open from closed apneas even when the model used to calculate admittance is not based on details of the respiratory apparatus. In addition the patient admittance may be compared with admittance during normal breathing to avoid having to characterize the airway.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus provides respiratory treatment with improved power management control to permit more efficient power consumption and power supply units, such as battery powered operation. In one embodiment, power management prioritizes the flow generator (104) over other accessories such as the heating elements (111, 135) of a humidifier (112) and/or a delivery tube. The flow generator may control operations of the heating elements as a function of a detected respiratory cycle. For example, the timing of operation of the heating elements may be interleaved with the portion of an inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle to permit the flow generator to operate during a peak power operation without a power drain or with a lower power drain from these components. Operations of distinct sets of components of the system (e.g., different heating elements) may also be interleaved to prevent simultaneous peak power operations.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a tub configured to contain a supply of water and a heater including a first polymer film having an electrically conductive circuit provided upon a surface. The first polymer film is electrically insulating and the tub is formed of molded resin and the heater is molded at least partially within the resin. A respiratory apparatus for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes the humidifier. A method of humidifying a flow of pressurized breathable gas includes passing the flow of pressurized breathable gas over a supply of water contained in a tub. The tub is formed of molded resin and a heater including a first polymer film having an electrically conductive circuit on a first surface is molded at least partially within the resin.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a tub configured to contain a supply of water and a heater including a first polymer film having an electrically conductive circuit provided upon a surface. The first polymer film is electrically insulating and the tub is formed of molded resin and the heater is molded at least partially within the resin. A respiratory apparatus for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes the humidifier. A method of humidifying a flow of pressurized breathable gas includes passing the flow of pressurized breathable gas over a supply of water contained in a tub. The tub is formed of molded resin and a heater including a first polymer film having an electrically conductive circuit on a first surface is molded at least partially within the resin.

Abstract: A respiratory treatment apparatus provides respiratory treatment with improved power management control to permit more efficient power consumption and power supply units, such as battery powered operation. In one embodiment, power management prioritizes the flow generator (104) over other accessories such as the heating elements (111, 135) of a humidifier (112) and/or a delivery tube. The flow generator may control operations of the heating elements as a function of a detected respiratory cycle. For example, the timing of operation of the heating elements may be interleaved with the portion of an inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle to permit the flow generator to operate during a peak power operation without a power drain or with a lower power drain from these components. Operations of distinct sets of components of the system (e.g., different heating elements) may also be interleaved to prevent simultaneous peak power operations.