Abstract: A humidification system can include a heater base, a humidification chamber, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and/or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. The cartridge includes a memory, such as an EEPROM, or other suitable storage device. When the cartridge is installed on the heater base, the memory is electrically connected to a processor and/or memory of the heater base. Various models of cartridges can be produced for use with different humidification chambers, breathing circuits, and/or therapies. A connector can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.

Abstract: Known methods of heart function analysis, while useful, suffer from a number of limitations. These include the fact that these methods are inherently static, in that they consider an individual ECG that can only provide a picture of heart function at a particular moment in time. Furthermore, the assessment depends upon the expertise of specialists performing a visual analysis of ECG traces, which may be subjective, and of limited sensitivity. The present invention provides a method of processing ECG signals. The method comprises the steps of extracting data from at least one ECG signal determining a time derivative of said data and generating a normalised index value representative of the energy in said time derivative. Accordingly, the method provides an index that may be used as an objective indication of heart function, and recorded for an individual patient over a period of time as a dynamic record of any change in heart function of the patient that may be indicative of abnormal function or heart disease.