Humidifier with structure to prevent backflow of liquid through the humidifier inlet
A humidifier includes a base configured to retain a body of liquid therein, a top cover, and a seal disposed between the top cover and the base. At least a portion of the base is constructed of a heat conducting material. The top cover defines both an inlet and an outlet communicated with an interior of the base. The inlet is configured to receive pressurized breathable gas and the outlet is configured to deliver the pressurized breathable gas with added humidity.
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This application is a continuation reissue of Ser. No. 13/944,960, filed Aug. 23, 2013, which is a continuation reissue of Ser. No. 13/100,783, now U.S. Pat. No. Re. 44,453, which is an application for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,614,398, filed as Ser. No. 11/181,807 filed Jul. 15, 2005, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 10/467,382, filed 7 Aug. 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,935,337, which is the US national phase of international application PCT/AU02/00155 filed 14 Feb. 2002, which designated the United States, and claims the benefit of Australia Application Nos. PR3117, filed Feb. 16, 2001, and PR 7288, filed Aug. 27, 2001, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present application claims priority to Australian Provisional Applications PR3117, filed on Feb. 16, 2001 and PR7288, filed on Aug. 27, 2001, the specifications and drawings of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The present invention relates to a humidifier for use with an apparatus for supplying breathable gas such as those used for Non-invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP).
An apparatus for NIPPV or CPAP typically comprises a blower whose output is connected to a patient interface, such as a mask, via an air delivery conduit. Some patients find NIPPV or CPAP more comfortable when provided with humidified air. To this end, manufacturers often supply humidifiers which may be attached in the air circuit between the blower outlet and the patient interface. Humidifiers typically include a water reservoir and are configured such that ambient air from the blower entering the humidifier collects moisture through contact with the water, before continuing on to the patient interface.
Typically, the blower and humidifier are separate components connected via a flexible conduit. An air delivery conduit connects the humidifier outlet to a patient interface mask. Alternatively, the blower and humidifier may be rigidly-connected together. Air from the blower outlet passes into the humidifier inlet where it is humidified and then passes to the air delivery conduit. A potential problem with either arrangement is that if the humidifier is tilted relative to its normal orientation, water may run or spill from the humidifier into the blower outlet which may damage the electrical circuits of the blower and potentially cause infection control problems.
It is one aspect of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate the prior art disadvantages.
It is another aspect to provide a humidifier for a CPAP apparatus that is adapted to substantially prevent liquid contained thereto from undesirably exiting an inlet of the humidifier.
It is another aspect to provide a humidifier that is capable of directly connecting to a CPAP apparatus.
It is another aspect to provide a humidifier that has an inlet that is directly connectable with a CPAP apparatus to effectively eliminate a supply tube.
It is another aspect to provide a humidifier that is capable of heating the liquid contained therein.
One embodiment of the present invention includes an apparatus for humidifying breathable gas including a humidifier body configured to retain a body of liquid therein, an inlet communicated with an interior of the humidifier body and connectable to a blower outlet, and an outlet communicated with the interior of the humidifier body and connectable to a patient supply conduit. The interior of the humidifier is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the humidifier body through the inlet thereof when the humidifier body is rotated from a working, upright orientation.
In this manner, the liquid is substantially prevented from entering the blower outlet and possibly damaging the blower.
It is contemplated that the apparatus may also include a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the first chamber inlet preferably being connectable to a blower outlet, a second chamber having an inlet preferably connected to the first chamber outlet, and an outlet preferably connectable to the patient supply conduit, the second chamber preferably having the carrying capacity for the body of liquid. The first chamber inlet and outlet and volumes of the first and second chambers may be adapted such that, when the humidifier is disposed in the working upright orientation, the body of liquid is contained in the second chamber and, in other relative positions of the humidifier, the body of liquid is retained in at least one of the second chamber and the first and second chambers at a level therewithin below a level of the first chamber inlet.
A volume of the second chamber may be larger than a volume of the first chamber.
The first chamber may be located substantially above the second chamber in the working upright orientation of the apparatus.
The first chamber inlet and outlet may be located adjacent opposing sections of the first chamber.
The second chamber outlet may be located closer to the first chamber outlet than the first chamber inlet.
At least a portion of a base of the second chamber may be made of a heat conducting material.
The heat conductive portion may be in the form of a metallic cap which covers an opening of the base.
The apparatus may also include a top cover, a base, and a divider disposed between the top cover and base, wherein the base defines a receptacle formed therewithin, which preferably retains the body of liquid in the working orientation of the apparatus.
The top cover and the divider together may define the first chamber and the receptacle and the divider together form the second chamber.
The first chamber inlet and the second chamber outlet may be formed in the top cover and is the first chamber outlet and the second chamber inlet may be formed in the divider, the first chamber outlet and the second chamber inlet may be defined by a single aperture in the divider which communicates the first and second chambers.
The divider may define first and second sections, the first section together with the top cover preferably defining the first chamber.
The divider may include a plurality of apertures, separated by ribs, which may provide fluid communication from the second chamber to the second chamber outlet formed in the top cover.
The top cover and the base may be formed from a relatively rigid polymer material and the divider may be formed from a relatively resilient material.
The first chamber inlet may be connected to a blower outlet, the first chamber outlet may be connected to the second chamber inlet, the second chamber outlet may be connected to the patient supply conduit, and a portion of the second chamber below and behind the second chamber inlet may define a volume thereof greater than a volume of the body of liquid.
A portion of the second chamber between the first chamber inlet and the second chamber inlet and below the second chamber inlet may define a volume thereof greater than the volume of the body of liquid.
Portions of the first chamber and second chamber between the first chamber inlet and the second chamber outlet may define a volume thereof greater than the volume of the body of liquid.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a CPAP apparatus including an apparatus for humidifying breathable gas as described above.
Another embodiment of the present invention includes a humidifier for a CPAP apparatus having a humidifier body defining a fluid reservoir and a fluid passage therein. The humidifier body has first and second chambers with a dividing member therebetween. The dividing member includes an orifice therethrough to communicate the first and second chambers with one another. Air from a blower (not shown) arrives in the first chamber via a first chamber inlet and departs from the second chamber via a second chamber outlet. The fluid passage includes the inlet, outlet, the orifice, and, at least, portions of the first and second chambers. The humidifier is designed to carry a body of liquid having a maximum volume, Vmax. In a working orientation of the humidifier, the liquid body lies in a bottom portion of the second chamber. With respect to the working orientation of the humidifier the orifice lies forward of and to the side of the inlet. The first and second chambers are configured such that a volume of a first portion of the second chamber, which lies directly beneath the fist chamber, is greater than Vmax. Additionally, the volume of a second portion of the second chamber, which is disposed to the side of the first chamber, is greater than Vmax. Furthermore, the volume of a portion of the second chamber forward of the inlet plus a portion of the first chamber forward of the inlet is greater than Vmax. Additionally, the volume of a portion of the second chamber to the side of the inlet plus a portion of the first chamber to the side of the inlet is greater than Vmax.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a humidifier for a CPAP apparatus having first and second chambers, wherein an inlet to the humidifier is communicated with the first chamber, an outlet from the humidifier is communicated with the second chamber, and the first and second chambers are intercommunicated via an orifice extending therebetween. The inlet and orifice are arranged relative to one another such that a level of a volume of liquid present within the humidifier is below at least one of the inlet and orifice for any orientation of the humidifier.
Although certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described herein as having certain features, one skilled in the art would recognize that alternative embodiments of the invention could be provided based on at least one or more features, either individually or in combination, of the illustrated and described embodiments.
The benefits of the present invention will be readily appreciated and understood from consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments of this invention, when taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In a working orientation represented in
The embodiment of the humidifier 10 shown in
As shown in
Similarly, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the embodiment illustrated in
For each of the orientations of the humidifier 10 shown in
It is also contemplated that the humidifier 30 may include an additional internal passage to allow monitoring of the CPAP pressure without degrading signal strength or necessitating relatively large correction factors due to signal attenuation within the humidifier, such as described in co-pending Applications incorporated above, as well as co-pending Application No. WO 02/066107, entitled “Air Pressure Signal Monitoring in Apparatus for Treating Sleep Disordered Breathing”, filed on even date herewith and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
As shown in
As shown in
In use, a predetermined maximum volume of liquid is poured into the receptacle 60 of the base 40 after removing the top cover 36 and the sealing gasket 38 from the base 40. The top cover 36 and the sealing gasket 38 are then reattached to the base 40. As shown in
In the working upright orientation of the humidifier 30, as shown in
Similarly as with the embodiment illustrated in
For each of the orientations of the humidifier 30 shown in
In
In
In
The humidifier 30 thus ensures that the body of liquid 78 is disposed in one of (a) only the second chamber 76, or (b) portions of the first and second chambers 74, 76 at a level below the inlet 32, to prevent liquid from exiting through the inlet 32 at orientations of the humidifier 30 up to an angle of about 90° from the working upright orientation. In the illustrated embodiment, a number of features of the humidifier 30 contribute to ensuing this function. These include relive positions of the inlet 32 and first aperture 50. More particularly, the inlet 32 and first aperture 50 are located on opposing ends of the first chamber 74. Also, the volume of the second chamber 76 is larger than the volume of the first chamber 74, which is assisted by the raised portion 48 of the gasket 38 so that liquid displaced from the first chamber 74 may be accommodated within the second chamber 76 without overflow through aperture 50. Furthermore, the outlet 34 is located closer to the first aperture 50 than the inlet 32, which assists in ensuing that liquid will exit via the outlet 34, rather than though the inlet 32.
The humidifier 30 therefore substantially prevents or reduces the risk of water exiting through the inlet 32, which may damage the NIPPV or CPAP apparatus, when the humidifier 30 is in other orientations up to an angle of about 90° from its working upright orientation.
It is contemplated that the humidifier 30 may be used as a retrofit or add-on component for a CPAP apparatus. To facilitate this usage, it may be preferable to provide a connecting structure 100 that is configured to connect between the CPAP apparatus and humidifier 30. As shown in
To facilitate connection of the humidifier 30 to the connecting strut 100, it is contemplated that another embodiment of a humidifier, indicated at 120 in
As shown in
Referring back to
In certain circumstances, it may be desirable to provide heated humid air to the respirator mask. Accordingly, another embodiment of the connecting structure, indicated at 150 in is
As shown in
Referring to
It is also contemplated that the heating element 162 may be upwardly resiliently biased to ensure adequate contact between the heating element 162 and the heating plate 174.
As shown in Ha 23, a rearward portion of the connecting suture 150 may include a plurality of generally outwardly extending contact elements 194. It is contemplated that the contact element 194 may communicate with a power supply within the CPAP apparatus and/or a controller and/or sensors. In this manner, power may be delivered to the heater 152 directly from the CPAP apparatus. Additionally, a controller within the CPAP apparatus itself may control the heater 152. Furthermore, it is contemplated that sensors within the CPAP apparatus may monitor a heat output of the heater 152. Moreover, it may be possible for a CPAP apparatus to automatically adjust a heat output of the heater 152 based on a measured temperature thereof or of the water within the humidifier or of the breathable air exiting the humidifier.
Claims
1. A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus, comprising
- a humidifier including a base configured to retain a body of liquid therein, at least a portion of the base being constructed of a heat conducting material, a top cover, and a seal disposed between the top cover and the base; and
- a connecting structure configured to connect between the CPAP apparatus and humidifier and allow communication of an outlet of the CPAP apparatus with the inlet of the humidifier, the connecting structure including a housing providing a base portion to support the humidifier thereon, and a retaining mechanism configured to secure the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus,
- wherein the base portion includes a heating element in contact with the heat conducting material of the base of the humidifier.
2. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the top cover defines both an inlet and an outlet communicated with an interior of the base, the inlet configured to receive pressurized breathable gas and the outlet configured to deliver the pressurized breathable gas with added humidity.
3. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure includes a control knob to control a heat setting of the heating element.
4. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure includes contact elements that communicate with a power supply within the CPAP apparatus.
5. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure is configured to allow removable attachment of the CPAP apparatus to the humidifier.
6. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting material is a metallic material.
7. A CPAP apparatus including a humidifier assembly according to claim 1.
8. A humidifier, comprising:
- a humidifier body configured to retain liquid, the humidifier body comprising: a rear portion having a humidifier body inlet adapted to receive a flow of pressurized breathable gas, the inlet configured to direct the flow of pressurized breathable gas into the humidifier body in a substantially horizontal direction when the humidifier is in an upright operating position; a top cover having a humidifier body outlet adapted to deliver the flow of pressurized breathable gas with added humidity; a base detachably fastened to the top cover with at least a first clip, the base having a heat conducting plate and forming a liquid receptacle for the liquid; and a vertically extending passage to direct gas from the inlet towards liquid in the liquid receptacle of the base, the vertically extending passage having at least a portion with closed shape as seen in cross-section,
- wherein if the humidifier body is rotated from the upright, operating position to each of a plurality of non-upright positions, the liquid in the humidifier body remains below the inlet.
9. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the rear portion of the humidifier body includes an external retaining portion recess positioned, configured and dimensioned to at least partly receive a horizontally extending retaining portion of a connecting structure.
10. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the humidifier body has a gas introduction chamber and a gas humidification chamber connected to the gas introduction chamber by the passage.
11. The humidifier of claim 10, wherein the top cover includes an internal divider wall, depending from a top inner surface of the top cover, to divide the gas introduction chamber from the humidification chamber.
12. The humidifier of claim 8, further comprising a second clip to detachably fasten the top cover and the base, wherein the top cover and the base are snap-fit together.
13. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the closed shape of the passage is substantially rectangular.
14. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the passage receives the entirety of the flow of pressurized breathable gas before the gas is directed to the liquid receptacle.
15. The humidifier of claim 8, further comprising a seal between the heat conducting plate and the base.
16. The humidifier of claim 15, wherein the humidifier body further comprises a seal between the base and the top cover.
17. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the heat conducting plate comprises metal.
18. The humidifier of claim 17, wherein the heat conducting plate is circular.
19. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the top cover is formed of a transparent material.
20. The humidifier of claim 18, wherein the base is formed of a transparent material.
21. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein the top cover and the base are snap-fit together.
22. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein:
- the rear portion of the humidifier body includes an external retaining portion recess positioned, configured and dimensioned to at least partly receive a horizontally extending retaining portion of a connecting structure,
- the humidifier body has a gas introduction chamber and a gas humidifier chamber connected to the gas introduction chamber by the passage,
- the top cover includes an internal divider wall, depending from a top inner surface of the top cover, to divide the gas introduction chamber and the gas humidification chamber,
- the passage receives the entirety of the gas before the gas is directed to the liquid receptacle,
- the humidifier further comprises a first seal between the heat conducting plate and the base, and further comprises a second seal between the base and the top cover,
- the heat conducting plate is formed of metal,
- the top cover and base comprise transparent material, and
- a shape of the heat conducting plate is different than a shape of the base of the humidifier body, and the heat conducting plate covers only a portion of the base.
23. The humidifier of claim 8, wherein:
- the humidifier body has a pair of resiliently biased lugs adapted to be disposed within corresponding recesses to secure the humidifier in place relative to a CPAP apparatus,
- the humidifier body has a gas introduction chamber and a gas humidifier chamber connected to the gas introduction chamber by the passage,
- the passage receives all of the gas before the gas is directed from the gas introduction chamber to the gas humidifier chamber and the liquid receptacle, and
- the humidifier further comprises a seal between the base and the top cover.
24. The humidifier of claim 23, wherein the base and the top cover are snap fit to one another.
25. A CPAP system including a blower to generate the flow of pressurized breathable gas and the humidifier of claim 8.
26. A humidifier assembly, comprising:
- the humidifier of claim 8; and
- a connecting structure configured to connect between the humidifier and a CPAP apparatus without the need for an external tube or conduit extending between the CPAP apparatus and the connecting structure, the connecting structure comprising a housing defining a humidifier receptacle configured to horizontally receive the humidifier.
27. The humidifier assembly of claim 26, wherein the rear portion of the humidifier body includes an external retaining portion recess positioned, configured and dimensioned to at least partly receive a horizontally extending retaining portion of the connecting structure when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the humidifier receptacle.
28. The humidifier assembly of claim 27, further comprising ribs between the recess and the horizontally extending retaining portion.
29. The humidifier assembly of claim 26, wherein the housing comprises a base portion configured to support the humidifier, and the humidifier assembly further comprises a securing mechanism that secures the humidifier in the housing with at least part of the humidifier being exposed.
30. The humidifier assembly of claim 29, wherein the base portion comprises a heating element configured to engage the heat conducting plate of the humidifier when the humidifier is retained in the housing.
31. The humidifier assembly of claim 30, wherein the heating element is resiliently biased into engagement with the heat conducting plate.
32. The humidifier assembly of claim 31, wherein the heating element is a flat plate-like resistance heater.
33. The humidifier assembly of claim 26, wherein the housing comprises contact elements configured to receive power from the CPAP apparatus.
34. The humidifier assembly of claim 33, wherein the housing comprises resiliently biased locking members on a side thereof that are configured to engage the CPAP apparatus to secure the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus.
35. The humidifier assembly of claim 34, further comprising a release member configured to release the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus.
36. The humidifier assembly of claim 35, wherein the release member is a button structure positioned on a lower portion of the housing.
37. The humidifier assembly of claim 36, wherein, when the humidifier body and the connecting structure as a unit are rotated from the upright, operating position, the liquid will drain through the humidifier body outlet before draining through the humidifier body inlet.
38. The humidifier assembly of claim 37, wherein the connecting structure includes an upstanding wall portion that extends in a vertical orientation, the humidifier having a rear wall that abuts or is proximate the upstanding wall portion when the humidifier is fully horizontally inserted relative to the connecting structure, wherein an opening of the connecting structure aligns with the inlet of the humidifier when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the opening being configured to allow communication of the flow of pressurized breathable gas from an outlet of the CPAP apparatus to the inlet of the humidifier.
39. The humidifier assembly of claim 36, wherein the connecting structure includes a movable button structure configured to allow manual release of the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus.
40. A CPAP system including a blower to generate the flow of pressurized breathable gas and the humidifier assembly of claim 26.
41. The CPAP system of claim 40, wherein the CPAP apparatus includes a controller to control a heating element of the connecting structure, as well as at least one electrical connecting member to allow power supply from the CPAP apparatus to the connecting structure.
42. A humidifier, comprising:
- a humidifier body configured to retain liquid, the humidifier body comprising: a humidifier body inlet configured to receive a flow of pressurized breathable gas the humidifier body inlet being positioned on a rear side wall of the humidifier body; a humidifier body outlet adapted to deliver the flow of pressurized breathable gas with added humidity; a gas introduction chamber having a gas introduction chamber inlet and a gas introduction chamber outlet, the gas introduction chamber inlet being adapted to receive the flow of pressurized breathable gas from the humidifier body inlet; a humidification chamber in communication with the gas introduction chamber and the humidifier body outlet, the humidification chamber having a bottom surface comprising heat conductive metallic material, and a cover including the humidifier body outlet,
- wherein:
- the gas introduction chamber outlet serves as a humidification chamber inlet,
- the gas introduction chamber and the humidification chamber are connected by a substantially vertically oriented transitional passage having a closed cross sectional shape configured to receive all of the flow of pressurized breathable gas before the gas is directed to the humidification chamber,
- the gas introduction chamber inlet faces a substantially horizontal direction when the humidifier is in an upright, operating position,
- the gas introduction chamber outlet is positioned above the liquid when the humidifier body retains the liquid and is in the upright, operating position, and
- the gas introduction chamber and the humidification chamber are configured so that when the humidifier body is rotated around a horizontal axis parallel to the bottom surface of the humidifier chamber, in each of clockwise and counterclockwise directions, from the upright, operating position to a plurality of non-upright positions, liquid is prevented or discouraged from flowing from the humidification chamber and out through the humidifier body inlet.
43. The humidifier of claim 42, wherein a volume of the gas introduction chamber is smaller than a volume of the humidification chamber.
44. The humidifier of claim 43, wherein the non-upright positions include positions where the humidifier is inadvertently rotated about multiple horizontal axes.
45. The humidifier of claim 44, wherein the non-upright positions are those which occur when the humidifier is inadvertently rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise orientations relative to the horizontal axes.
46. The humidifier of claim 44, wherein the horizontal axes include a first axis that runs from a front to a back of the humidifier body, and a second axis that runs from lateral side to lateral side of the humidifier body.
47. The humidifier of claim 42, wherein the humidifier body includes a top cover and a base that are snap-fit together.
48. The humidifier of claim 47, wherein the humidifier body further comprises a seal between the base and the top cover.
49. The humidifier of claim 48, further comprising a seal between the heat conducting plate and the base.
50. The humidifier of claim 48, wherein the top cover and base are formed of a transparent material.
51. The humidifier of claim 42, wherein the humidifier body includes a top cover, a base, and a pair of clips to detachably fasten the top cover and the base.
52. The humidifier of claim 42, further comprising a pair of resiliently biased lugs to secure the humidifier relative to a blower of a CPAP apparatus.
53. A humidifier assembly, comprising:
- the humidifier of claim 42; and
- a connecting structure configured to connect between the humidifier and a CPAP apparatus without the need for an external tube or conduit extending between the CPAP apparatus and the connecting structure, the connecting structure comprising a housing defining a receptacle configured to horizontally receive the humidifier.
54. The humidifier assembly of claim 53, wherein a rear portion of the humidifier body includes an external retaining portion recess positioned, configured and dimensioned to at least partly receive a horizontally extending retaining portion of the connecting structure.
55. The humidifier assembly of claim 54, further comprising ribs positioned adjacent the horizontally extending retaining portion.
56. The humidifier assembly of claim 53, wherein the housing comprises a base portion configured to support the humidifier, and the humidifier assembly further comprises a securing mechanism that secures the humidifier in the housing with at least part of the humidifier being exposed.
57. The humidifier assembly of claim 56, wherein the securing mechanism includes a resiliently biased member having a pair of locking lugs provided on the humidifier body, and the base portion includes lug receiving recesses in which the lugs may be releasably disposed.
58. The humidifier assembly of claim 56, wherein the base portion comprises a heating element configured to engage the heat conductive metallic material of the humidifier when the humidifier is retained in the housing.
59. The humidifier assembly of claim 58, wherein the heating element is resiliently biased into engagement with the heat conducting plate.
60. The humidifier assembly of claim 58, wherein the heating element is a flat plate-like resistance heater.
61. The humidifier assembly of claim 53, wherein the housing comprises contact elements configured to receive power from the CPAP apparatus.
62. The humidifier assembly of claim 61, wherein the housing comprises resiliently biased locking members on a side thereof that are configured to engage the CPAP apparatus to secure the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus.
63. The humidifier assembly of claim 62, further comprising a release member configured to release the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus.
64. The humidifier assembly of claim 63, wherein the release member is a button structure provided to a lower portion of the housing.
65. A CPAP system including a blower to generate a flow of pressurized breathable gas and the humidifier assembly of claim 53.
66. A CPAP system including a blower to generate a flow of pressurized breathable gas and the humidifier of claim 42.
67. A humidifier, comprising:
- a humidifier body having a base and a top cover snap-fitted to the base, the base defining a liquid receptacle adapted to contain liquid, the base having a heat conducting plate;
- an inlet adapted to receive a flow of pressurized breathable gas;
- an outlet, downstream of the liquid receptacle, adapted to deliver the flow of pressurized breathable gas with added humidity; and
- at least a first resiliently biased lug movable relative to the base, the first lug being biased in an extended position and manually movable against the resilient bias from the extended position to a retracted position,
- wherein if the humidifier body is rotated from an upright, operating position to each of a plurality of non-upright positions, liquid in the humidifier body remains below the inlet.
68. The humidifier of claim 67, wherein a rear portion of the humidifier body includes an external retaining portion recess.
69. The humidifier of claim 67, wherein the humidifier body has a gas introduction chamber and a gas humidifier chamber connected to the gas introduction chamber by a vertically extending passage having at least a portion with closed shape as seen in cross-section.
70. The humidifier of claim 69, wherein the passage receives the entirety of the flow of pressurized breathable gas before the gas is directed to the liquid receptacle.
71. The humidifier of claim 67, wherein the humidifier body further comprises a seal between the base and the top cover.
72. The humidifier of claim 71, wherein the top cover and base comprise transparent material.
73. The humidifier of claim 67, wherein:
- a rear portion of the humidifier body includes an external retaining portion recess,
- the humidifier body has a gas introduction chamber and a gas humidifier chamber connected to the gas introduction chamber by a vertically extending passage having at least a portion with closed shape as seen in cross-section,
- the passage receives all of the gas before the gas is directed to the liquid receptacle,
- the heat conducting plate is formed of metal, and
- the top cover and base comprise transparent material.
74. The humidifier of claim 73, further comprising a second lug, laterally spaced from the first lug and movable in unison with the first lug, wherein the first and second lugs are positioned to extend outwardly relative to the humidifier body.
75. A CPAP system including:
- a CPAP apparatus having a blower to generate the flow of pressurized breathable gas; and
- a humidifier receptacle to horizontally receive the humidifier of claim 67.
76. The CPAP system of claim 75, wherein a rear portion of the humidifier body includes an external retaining portion recess positioned, configured and dimensioned to at least partly receive a horizontally extending retaining portion associated with the humidifier receptacle when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the humidifier receptacle, and
- wherein the CPAP system further comprises at least a first lug receiving recess in which the first lug is a releasably disposed when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the humidifier receptacle and the lug resiliently moves to the extended position.
77. The CPAP system of claim 76, further comprising ribs adjacent the horizontally extending retaining portion.
78. The CPAP system of claim 75, further comprising a heating element configured to engage the heat conducting plate of the humidifier when the humidifier is retained in the humidifier receptacle.
79. A CPAP system of claim 78, wherein the heating element is resiliently biased into engagement with the heat conducting plate.
80. The CPAP system of claim 79, wherein the heating element is a flat plate-like resistance heater.
81. The CPAP system of claim 75, further comprising a connecting structure having resiliently biased locking members on a side thereof that are configured to engage the CPAP apparatus to secure the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus without the need for an external flexible hose or conduit, wherein the connecting structure includes the humidifier receptacle.
82. The CPAP system of claim 81, wherein the connecting structure comprises contact elements configured to receive power from the CPAP apparatus.
83. The CPAP system of claim 81, further comprising a release member configured to release the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus.
84. The CPAP system of claim 83, wherein the release member is a button structure.
85. The CPAP system of claim 81, wherein, when the humidifier body and the connecting structure as a unit are rotated from the upright, operating position, liquid will drain through the outlet before draining through the inlet.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jun 15, 2016
Date of Patent: Oct 17, 2017
Assignee: ResMed Limited (Bella Vista)
Inventors: Alexander Virr (Gosford), Ian Malcolm Smith (Sydney), Perry David Lithgow (Sydney), Richard Llewelyn Jones (Sydney), Andrew Cheung (Sydney)
Primary Examiner: Joseph Kaufman
Application Number: 15/182,919
International Classification: F23D 11/00 (20060101); F23D 14/00 (20060101); A61M 15/00 (20060101); A61M 16/16 (20060101); A61M 16/10 (20060101); A61M 16/00 (20060101);