Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited

Fisher & Paykel Limited

Malcolm David Smith

Kaumali Prasangika Abeysinghe

Paul John Seakins

Lewis George Gradon

Peter John Leonard

Stephen William Mcphee

Stephen William McPhee

Mohammad Thudor

Andrew Baden Clark

Lewis George-Gradon

Peter John Leonoard

A humidifier and humidity sensor used with a breathing assistance apparatus. The humidity sensor can sense absolute humidity, relative humidity and/or temperature at both the patient end and humidifier end. The humidifier can also control independently the humidity and temperature of the gases. Further, a chamber manifold can facilitate easy connection of the humidifier to various outlets, inlets and sensors. A heated conduit can provide a more effective temperature profile along its length.

Breathing assistance apparatus

A humidifier and humidity sensor is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus. The humidity sensor preferably includes senor(s) to sense absolute humidity, relative humidity and/or temperature at both the patient end and humidifier end. The humidifier may also include provision to both control independently the humidity and temperature of the gases. Further, a chamber manifold is disclosed to facilitate easy connection of the humidifier to various outlets, inlets and sensors. A heated conduit is described which provides a more effective temperature profile along its length.

A humidifier and humidity sensor is disclosed for use with a breathing assistance apparatus. The humidity sensor preferably includes means to sense absolute humidity, relative humidity and/or temperature at both the patient end and humidifier end. The humidifier may also include provision to both control independently the humidity and temperature of the gases. Further, a chamber manifold is disclosed to facilitate easy connection of the humidifier to various outlets, inlets and sensors. A heated conduit is described which provides a more effective temperature profile along its length.

A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors. A number of possible applications are disclosed wherein the flow sensor is, included in humidification control systems which provide a patient with a desired humidity level or simplify the amount of user input required or wherein the flow sensor provides a controller with flow information which may then be used to determine certain, possibly dangerous, conditions (such as incorrect flow sensor placement, breathing circuit disconnected, no water in the humidification chamber or humidity out of required limits).

Respiratory humidification system

A flow probe for use in a humidification system is positioned in a humidified gases flow such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors into the gases flow. The flow probes are shaved and aligned within the gases flow to enable accurate gas flow readings to be taken whilst reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors. The flow probe can also be included in a humidification control systems to provide a patient with a desired humidity level or simplify the amount of user input required to set humidity levels. Furthermore, the flow probe can provide a controller with flow information which may then be used to determine certain conditions that could prove to be dangerous to a patient.

A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors. A number of possible applications are disclosed wherein the flow sensor is included in humidification control systems which provide a patient with a desired humidity level or simplify the amount of user input required or wherein the flow sensor provides a controller with flow information which may then be used to determine certain, possibly dangerous, conditions (such as incorrect flow sensor placement, breathing circuit disconnected, no water in the humidification chamber or humidity out of required limits).

Humidifier with parallel gas flow paths

A humidification apparatus for humidifying a gas flow to be supplied to a patient or other person in need of such gas is provided. A first temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of the gas flow substantially at an outlet of a humidification chamber and a second temperature sensor is provided for sensing the temperature of the gas flow substantially at the patient end of the conduit. A display is provided for display of temperature information to a user. A controller or processor is configured or programmed to receive input from the temperature sensors and to output a signal to the display to cause a temperature to be displayed to the user which is the lower of the temperature sensed by temperature sensors.

A humidifier and humidity sensor for use with a breathing assistance apparatus. The humidity sensor senses absolute humidity, relative humidity and/or temperature at both the patient end and humidifier end. The humidifier may also include provision to both control independently the humidity and temperature of the gases. Further, a chamber manifold facilitates easy connection of the humidifier to various outlets, inlets and sensors. A heated conduit provides a more effective temperature profile along its length.

A method and apparatus are described for sensing the absolute humidity of gases where the relative humidity of gases are measured, the humidity transducer is heated, the resulting temperature measured and the absolute humidity calculated (based on the power to heat said transducer, the temperature of said transducer and the relative humidity). In further embodiments the humidity transducer may be heated to a pasteurisation temperature, to substantially kill any common pathogens present on the humidity transducer. The flow rate may be determined to estimate a more instantaneous valve of humidity. The operation of the sensor may be continually monitored for correct operation and various constructions disclosed for improving the efficiency of operation.

Humidity sensor

A flow probe for use in a humidification system is disclosed. The flow probe is adapted to be positioned in a humidified gases flow (for example oxygen or anaesthetic gases) such as that which is provided to a patient in a hospital environment. The flow probe is designed to provide both temperature and flow rate sensing of the gases flow by incorporating two sensors (preferably thermistors) and the shape and alignment of the probe enables accurate readings by reducing the occurrence of condensation on the sensors. A number of possible applications are disclosed wherein the flow sensor is included in humidification control systems which provide a patient with a desired humidity level or simplify the amount of user input required or wherein the flow sensor provides a controller with flow information which may then be used to determine certain, possibly dangerous, conditions (such as incorrect flow sensor placement, breathing circuit disconnected, no water in the humidification chamber or humidity out of required limits).

A fault protection circuit for a respiratory conduit heater element in a respirator humidification system is disclosed. The circuit includes a spark detector as well as overcurrent detector. Several variations are included for the spark detector including a two winding transformer, a center tapped two winding transformer), and a high pass filtered inductor. A semiconductor switching configuration is also disclosed. Once the protection circuit detects a change in current over a certain level, or the average level raises above a threshold, then the current in the heater element is interrupted for a preset period.

Growing community of inventors

Auckland, New Zealand

Paul John Seakins