Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited

Fisher & Paykel Limited

Stephen William McPhee

Paul John Seakins

Peter John Leonard

Lewis George Gradon

Mohammad Thudor

David Fraser Wixey

Peter John Hunt

Dexter Chi Lun Cheung

Howard Kuo-Hao Chiu

Margaret Shi Lu

Lewis George-Gradon

Eglantine Penelope Mary Layec

Robin Le-Ching Chang

Peter John Leonoard

Tissue care device

A breathing assistance apparatus adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity to a patient including a humidifier and a heated conduit is disclosed. The humidifier includes a controller which controls the humidifier, or the humidifier and the heated conduit to deliver the gases to the patient at the required humidity or temperature, without the requirement for sensors in the gases stream. The controller uses information already available to the controller, without the requirement for additional information to be provided by sensors in the gases stream. This means the need for sensors in the gases stream is dispensed with. A significant benefit is achieved as sensors are not required in the conduit and thus the apparatus is simple and less bulky.

Humidity controller

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).

A breathing assistance apparatus adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity to a patient including a humidifier and a heated conduit is disclosed. The humidifier includes a controller which determines the flow rate of the gases and then determines the required power input to the humidifier to deliver the gases to the patient at the required patient humidity. This means the need for external sensors is dispensed with and thus the apparatus is simple and less bulky. The resistance of the conduit heater element is monitored to give a coarse indication of flow rate.

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 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 heated respiratory humidifier conduit for use with a respiratory humidifier/ventilator circuit. The conduit consists of an inspiratory tube passing gases from the humidifier/ventilator to the patient and an expiratory tube passing exhaled gases from the patient back to the gases supply. An insulated resistance heating wire runs the full length of the inspiratory tube to reduce condensation forming on the walls of the tube. The return path for the heating wire is supplied by an insulated conductor which also runs the full length of the inspiratory tube and is connected to the heating wire near the patient. This ensures that the voltage of the heating wire is substantially zero volts at the patient end of the conduit, minimizing the interactions with other patient connected equipment.

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Auckland, New Zealand

Stephen William McPhee