Abstract: An electrically conductive plastic (ECP) material can be used to heat water in a reservoir of a respiratory humidifier to encourage heating and/or humidification of gases passing through the respiratory humidifier. The electrically conductive plastic material can at least in part overmould the base and/or walls of the chamber and/or the reservoir of the respiratory humidifier. The reservoir can also partially or fully be formed from the electrically conductive plastic material.

Abstract: A diffuser element for use over a vent opening of a breathing assistance apparatus. In some configurations, the diffuser element is formed by knitting or weaving one or more threads together into an interlocking pattern. In some configurations, the diffuser pad has a first surface and an opposing second surface and at least the first surface includes a surface texture. Arrangements for coupling the diffuser element to a structure that defines or carries the vent are also disclosed.

Abstract: A component useable with one or more tube comprises a body engageable with one or more external surface recesses of the one or more tubes. The component has a pair of jaws extending from the body for gripping an item. The component is configured, such that, in use, in a first orientation of the body relative to the respective tube(s) recesses, the component is movable along a length of the tube(s); and, in a second orientation of the body relative to the respective tube(s) recesses, the component is resistive to movement along a length of the tube(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods can determine respiratory rates of a patient using a respiratory device by performing one or more frequency analyses of a signal from the gases flow. The signal from the gases flow can be one that varies with the patients breathing. The system can include a non-sealed patient interface, such as a nasal cannula in a nasal high flow therapy, or any other patient interfaces. The respiratory system can also detect whether the patient has taken off the patient interface and/or whether the patient connected to the patient interface is talking or eating. Data of the patients use of the respiratory system and the patients respiratory rates can provide therapy compliance and long-term trend of use information and/or progress in the patients respiratory functions and/or other physiological functions.

Abstract: A packaging system for a respiratory mask has a first compartment configured to receive at least a first portion of the respiratory mask, and a second compartment configured to receive at least a second portion of the respiratory mask, the first and second compartments being separated by an internal wall including at least respiratory mask retention feature that may be configured to retain at least the respiratory mask to the packaging system.

Abstract: An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly, a headgear assembly and a connection port assembly. The mask assembly comprises a seal member that has an upper portion movably connected to an integrated lower portion, wherein the upper portion rolls during hinging movement of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The headgear assembly allows connection to the mask assembly in a direction substantially normal to a direction of strap tension. The connection port assembly includes a swivel elbow with a valve member that controls flow through a port that opens toward the user.

Abstract: A respiratory mask system is provided comprising a respiratory mask and a head engaging portion, wherein the head engaging portion is configured to couple to the respiratory mask to engage a wearer's head via a disengageable mechanism. The disengageable mechanism may comprise a linking member attached to the head engaging portion, a disengagement member attached to the respiratory mask and configured to receive the linking member, wherein the disengagement member is configured to be moveable between a first position and a second position, a control configured to allow a wearer of the mask to move the disengagement member towards the first position and one or more surfaces defined by the disengagement member and configured to exert a frictional force on the linking member.

Abstract: A humidification system for delivering humidified gases to a user can include a heater base, humidification chamber having an inlet, outlet, and associated fluid conduit, and breathing circuit including a supply conduit, inspiratory conduit, and optional expiratory conduit. The humidification system can include various features to help make set-up less difficult and time-consuming. For example, the supply conduit, inspiratory conduit, and optional expiratory conduit can be coupled into a one-piece circuit to aid set-up. Various components can be color-coded and can have corresponding structures to indicate which components should be connected to one another during set-up. Such features can also help make the set-up process more intuitive for an operator, which can reduce the need for specialized training and reduce the number of potential errors.

Abstract: A patient interface of a respiratory therapy system is provided, and includes: a. a mask body; b. a mask seal secured to the mask body and configured to form a seal with the user's face, at least around the user's mouth; the mask body and mask seal being arranged to define an interior breathing Chamber of the patient interface; and c. an inlet to the breathing chamber configured to receive a flow of breathable gases into the breathing chamber. To assist in allowing a user to speak clearly whilst wearing/using the patient interface, a user actuatable speech valve is provided on the patient interface and is operable to selectively occlude and open a speech flow path from the breathing chamber to atmosphere when the user wishes to speak.

Abstract: A blower for a breathing apparatus has a diffuser for increasing static pressure and/or reducing noise and/or mitigating pressure instabilities and/or managing reverse flow.

Abstract: Nasal cannula assemblies for providing respiratory therapy to patients are provided. A nasal cannula assembly can include a cannula, an optional manifold which may be removable, a gas supply tube, and a securement mechanism. Securement mechanisms can include headgear straps, cheek pads, or an adhesive nose strip. A nasal cannula assembly can also include a lanyard, lanyard clip, and/or lanyard connector to help support the weight of a main gas delivery conduit.

Abstract: New medical circuit components and methods for forming such components are disclosed. These components include microstructures for humidification and/or condensate management. The disclosed microstructures can be incorporated into a variety of components, including tubes (e.g., inspiratory breathing tubes and expiratory breathing tubes and other tubing between various elements of a breathing circuit, such as ventilators, humidifiers, filters, water traps, sample lines, connectors, gas analyzers, and the like), Y-connectors, catheter mounts, humidifiers, and patient interfaces (e.g., masks for covering the nose and face, nasal masks, cannulas, nasal pillows, etc.), floats, probes, and sensors in a variety of medical circuits.

Abstract: Patient interface components and/or associated head gear and adjustment systems improve sealing and/or patient comfort and/or ease of use. The interface comprising an inflating or ballooning seal. The headgear assembly can be connected to the interface with an elastic component and an inelastic component. The elastic component enabling a course fitting of the interface to the patient and the inelastic component enabling a final fitting of the interface to the patient.

Abstract: A blower unit for use as part of an integrated blower/humidification system is described. The blower unit has an outer casing, which encloses and forms part of the blower unit, the casing including an air inlet vent. The blower unit further includes a humidifier compartment for receiving a humidifier unit with a separate gases inlet and outlet, the compartment having a heater base for heating the contents of the humidifier unit. The compartment also has a blower inlet port which aligns with the humidifier unit inlet in use, the blower providing a gases path through the casing between the inlet vent and the inlet port. The blower unit also includes a fan for providing a pressurised gases stream along the gases path, and a power supply unit for powering the fan. The gases path is routed over the power supply unit in order to provide a cooling air flow.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a filter assembly for use in an insufflation system is described. The filter assembly comprises: a filter medium operative to filter medical gases; a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet and the filter medium, the housing defining a gases flow path through the filter medium between the inlet and the outlet; and at least one heating element being positioned in the housing and being configured to heat the filter medium; and wherein, the at least one heating element is spaced apart from the filter medium and from an inner surface of the housing.