Humidifier system

Abstract

A humidifier system for producing a humidified and heated breathing gas including a humidifier module having a humidifying chamber with a supply gas inlet, a breathing gas outlet and a heat transfer element. A tube extending between a liquid reservoir and the humidifier module includes therein an elongate liquid absorbing wick whose upper end has a plurality of leaves extending planarly and radially outwardly therefrom into the humidifying chamber into contact with said heat transfer element. Liquid is transported by the wick upwardly into the leaves thereof where it is evaporated and mixed with the supply gas in the humidifying chamber to generate a heated and humidified breathing gas. A vent passage between the humidifying chamber and the liquid reservoir allows the automatic adjustment of the pressure in the reservoir and thus the capillary flow of liquid up the wick in response to a change in the volumetric rate of supply gas so as to provide a humidifier system where the heat and humidity level of the breathing gas are self-regulated.