Abstract: A humidifier having an ambient temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the ambient air in the environment in which the humidifier is located. A difference temperature selector is provided to allow a user to select a difference temperature which is the difference in temperature between the sensed ambient temperature and a comfortable and efficient temperature for supply of the humidified gases provided by the humidifier to a patient or user. The humidifier controls the temperature of the humidified gases it provides to the patient to the selected difference temperature above the sensed ambient temperature, so that any change in the sensed ambient temperature results in a corresponding change in the temperature of humidified gases supplied to the patient or user. This construction prevents or minimises the condensation which occurs at low ambient temperatures in the gases supply conduit provided between the humidifier and the patient or user.

Abstract: A humidifier in which the temperature of the humidified gases leaving the humidifying chamber of the humidifier is measured. The measured temperature is compared with a predetermined temperature required for a minimum humidity level for humidified gases supplied to a patient and if the measured temperature is less from the predetermined temperature a warning is provided. The humidifier also has a securing device for securing the humidifying chamber to the heater plate of the humidifier. The securing device comprises a sprung gate member which is biased in an upward position to prevent the humidifying chamber from being removed but may be pressed downwardly by a user in order to engage or remove the chamber.

Abstract: A humidifier has a supply of water suspended on a pole above a patient which supplies water through a removable drop counter of magnetically actuated ball valve to a microporous tube mounted in but mechanically separated from a ventilating line between a ventilator and the patient. The water is heated in the microporous tube to create a vapor pressure sufficient to cause water vapor but substantially no liquid water to pass through the tube into the ventilating line. Electrically energized controls are provided to obviate maloperation and to maintain safe operating conditions including maintaining safe temperature conditions, and prevention of excess water entering the ventilation line by counting the drops of water passing through the bold valve, and closing the ball valve if the count rate is outside desired count rates and power or the monitoring equipment fails.

Abstract: A clamp valve is made which comprises a hollow member open at one end and which has a pair of apertures through side walls thereof. A slide is movable in the hollow member and has a transverse aperture therethrough so that a conduit which has a pliable resilient wall can in use be passed through both of the apertures in the hollow member and the aperture in the slide. Biassing means are provided to bias the slide relative to the hollow member so that the conduit is in use normally clamped between an edge of the aperture in the slide and an edge of one of the apertures in the hollow member so that the conduit is normally closed to fluid flow.

Abstract: A clamp valve is made which comprises a hollow member open at one end and which has a pair of apertures through side walls thereof. A slide is movable in the hollow member and has a transverse aperture therethrough so that a conduit which has a pliable resilient wall can in use be passed through both of the apertures in the hollow member and the aperture in the slide. Biassing means are provided to bias the slide relative to the hollow member so that the conduit is in use normally clamped between an edge of the aperture in the slide and an edge of one of the apertures in the hollow member so that the conduit is normally closed to fluid flow.