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: A circuit connector for a humidification system, the system comprising a base unit configured to be engaged by a humidification chamber. The circuit connector comprises an inlet to fluidly connect to an outlet of the humidification chamber to receive humidified gases therefrom, an outlet to sealably connect to or integral with a conduit for directing the humidified gases to a user, and an electrical terminal for electrically coupling the circuit connector to an electrical terminal associated with the base unit. The circuit connector may be releasably and lockably connectable to the outlet of the humidification chamber and/or orientation features may control orientation of component parts of the system as they are assembled.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to a system and method for providing a flow of respiratory gases to a patient. The system includes a controller, a flow modulator, and one or more sensors, wherein the controller is configured to control the flow modulator to modulate the flow of respiratory gases in response to determined pressure in the system exceeding or not exceeding a pressure threshold value.

Abstract: A respiratory support system having a flow source and a respiratory circuit. The respiratory circuit has a pressure relief valve and a tube assembly in fluid communication with the flow source and pressure relief valve. The respiratory circuit downstream of the pressure relief valve has a resistance to gas flow of 30-50 cmH2O at a selected gas flow rate.

Abstract: A circuit connector for a humidification system, the system comprising a base unit configured to be engaged by a humidification chamber. The circuit connector comprises an inlet to fluidly connect to an outlet of the humidification chamber to receive humidified gases therefrom, an outlet to sealably connect to or integral with a conduit for directing the humidified gases to a user, and an electrical terminal for electrically coupling the circuit connector to an electrical terminal associated with the base unit. The circuit connector may be releasably and lockably connectable to the outlet of the humidification chamber and/or orientation features may control orientation of component parts of the system as they are assembled.

Abstract: A flow of gases in a respiratory therapy system can be conditioned to achieve more consistent output from sensors configured to sense a characteristic of the flow. The flow can be mixed by imparting a tangential, rotary, helical, or swirling motion to the flow of gases. The mixing can occur upstream of the sensors. The flow can be segregated into smaller compartments to reduce turbulence in a region of the sensors.

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: A flow of gases in a respiratory therapy system can be conditioned to achieve more consistent output from sensors configured to sense a characteristic of the flow. The flow can be mixed by imparting a tangential, rotary, helical, or swirling motion to the flow of gases. The mixing can occur upstream of the sensors. The flow can be segregated into smaller compartments to reduce turbulence in a region of the sensors.

Abstract: A method of determining a duration of safe apnoea. Information is obtained relating to a respiratory indicator, and a duration of safe apnoea is determined from the obtained information. A respiratory therapy system has one or more patient interfaces. A processor is configured to determine a duration of safe apnoea based on obtained information relating to a respiratory indicator.

Abstract: A system provides warm, humidified gas to a patient via a patient interface. Horizontal connections can be used between the humidification chamber and conduit. To reduce the likelihood of condensate flowing back to the humidification chamber, or dead space or gases recirculation regions occurring within the gases flow path, a raised portion is positioned inside of the flow path to improve flow characteristics and to provide a barrier for condensate back flow. The raised portion also reduces the amount of condensate that is formed in the system and provides better flow characteristics for sensing purposes.

Abstract: A system provides warm, humidified pas to a patient via a patient interface. Horizontal connections can be used between the humidification chamber and conduit. To reduce the likelihood of condensate flowing back to the humidification chamber, or dead space or gases recirculation regions occurring within the gases flow path, a raised portion is positioned inside of the flow path to improve flow characteristics and to provide a barrier for condensate back flow. The raised portion also reduces the amount of condensate that is formed in the system and provides better flow characteristics for sensing purposes.

Abstract: A method of determining a duration of safe apnoea. Information is obtained relating to a respiratory indicator, and a duration of safe apnoea is determined from the obtained information. A respiratory therapy system has one or more patient interfaces. A processor is configured to determine a duration of safe apnoea based on obtained information relating to a respiratory indicator.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement for a medical device includes a housing having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, a collar of the flexible portion attached to an exterior of the rigid portion such that a stem of the rigid portion extends into an interior of the flexible portion. A sensing element is positioned at least partially within a passageway of the rigid portion, with at least one wire extending from the sensing element through the passageway and into the interior of the flexible portion. Front and rear flanges protrude from the flexible portion and are adapted to allow the sensing arrangement to be attached into an aperture in a wall of the medical device. The stem of the rigid portion may be positioned between the collar and front flanges of the flexible portion, such that the stem does not extend through the aperture of the wall of the medical device. There are also provided a seal, a removable component, a medical device and a system.

Abstract: A flow of gases in a respiratory therapy system can be conditioned to achieve more consistent output from sensors configured to sense a characteristic of the flow. The flow can be mixed by imparting a tangential, rotary, helical, or swirling motion to the flow of gases. The mixing can occur upstream of the sensors. The flow can be segregated into smaller compartments to reduce turbulence in a region of the sensors.

Abstract: A system for humidifying respiratory gases has a humidification apparatus, a humidification chamber, a heating apparatus and a sensor. The sensor is configured to determine a characteristic of the gases flow and communicate this to a controller which controls the power supplied to the heating apparatus with respect to information regarding the characteristic of the gases flow. A structure partially encloses the humidification chamber and allows energy loss through a wall of the humidification chamber. The humidification chamber may have features to promote heat loss through the wall of the chamber.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement for a medical device includes a housing having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, a collar of the flexible portion attached to an exterior of the rigid portion such that a stem of the rigid portion extends into an interior of the flexible portion. A sensing element is positioned at least partially within a passageway of the rigid portion, with at least one wire extending from the sensing element through the passageway and into the interior of the flexible portion. Front and rear flanges protrude from the flexible portion and are adapted to allow the sensing arrangement to be attached into an aperture in a wall of the medical device. The stem of the rigid portion may be positioned between the collar and front flanges of the flexible portion, such that the stem does not extend through the aperture of the wall of the medical device. There are also provided a seal, a removable component, a medical device and a system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure relief valve comprising a respiratory system muffler located along a gas flow path of the pressure relief valve. The muffler comprises a tortuous gas flow path to attenuate sound. The invention also relates to a respiratory system muffler comprising a gas flow path extending between an inlet and an outlet of the muffler. The gas flow path has a variable cross-sectional area and comprises one or more expansion portions comprising a first cross-sectional area and one or more contraction portions comprising a second cross-sectional area. The first cross-sectional area is generally larger than the second cross-sectional area. The variable cross-sectional areas of the gas flow path help to attenuate sound.

Abstract: A flow of gases in a respiratory therapy system can be conditioned to achieve more consistent output from sensors configured to sense a characteristic of the flow. The flow can be mixed by imparting a tangential, rotary, helical, or swirling motion to the flow of gases. The mixing can occur upstream of the sensors. The flow can be segregated into smaller compartments to reduce turbulence in a region of the sensors.

Abstract: A connector having a connector body with an inlet and an outlet defining a gas flow passage therebetween. The connector body has an overlap portion that is configured to overlap with a portion of a second connector when connected. An access passage extends through the overlap portion to the gas flow passage.