SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTING WATER DAMAGE IN A BREATHING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A breathing assistance system, comprising:
- a gas delivery system including a gas flow generation device configured to generate a gas flow;
a humidifier system including a liquid water chamber and an outlet, the gas delivery system and the humidifier system at least partially defining a gas flow path from the gas flow generation device to the outlet of the humidifier system; and
a microporous filter located along the gas flow path such that the gas flow generated by the gas flow generation device flows through the microporous filter, subsequently becomes humidified in the liquid water chamber, and subsequently flows through the outlet of the humidifier system;
wherein the microporous filter is gas-permeable and liquid water-impermeable, such that the microporous filter prevents liquid water in the liquid water chamber from flowing into the gas flow generation device in any orientation of the gas delivery system and humidifier system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A breathing assistance system includes a gas delivery system including a gas flow generation device configured to generate a gas flow; a humidifier system including a liquid water chamber and an outlet, and a microporous filter. The gas delivery system and the humidifier system at least partially define a gas flow path from the gas flow generation device to the outlet of the humidifier system. The microporous filter is located along the gas flow path such that the gas flow generated by the gas flow generation device flows through the microporous filter, subsequently becomes humidified in the liquid water chamber, and subsequently flows through the outlet of the humidifier system. The microporous filter is gas-permeable and liquid water-impermeable, such that the microporous filter prevents liquid water in the liquid water chamber from flowing into the gas flow generation device in any orientation of the gas delivery system and humidifier system.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A breathing assistance system, comprising:
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a gas delivery system including a gas flow generation device configured to generate a gas flow; a humidifier system including a liquid water chamber and an outlet, the gas delivery system and the humidifier system at least partially defining a gas flow path from the gas flow generation device to the outlet of the humidifier system; and a microporous filter located along the gas flow path such that the gas flow generated by the gas flow generation device flows through the microporous filter, subsequently becomes humidified in the liquid water chamber, and subsequently flows through the outlet of the humidifier system; wherein the microporous filter is gas-permeable and liquid water-impermeable, such that the microporous filter prevents liquid water in the liquid water chamber from flowing into the gas flow generation device in any orientation of the gas delivery system and humidifier system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for providing humidification for a breathing assistance system including a gas delivery system including a gas flow generation device, a humidifier system including a liquid water chamber and an outlet, and a gas-permeable, liquid water-impermeable microporous filter located along a gas flow path from the gas flow generation device to the humidifier system outlet, the microporous filter being permeable to gas but impermeable to liquid water, the method comprising:
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generating a gas flow using the gas flow generation device; communicating the gas flow from the gas flow generation device, through the gas-permeable, liquid water-impermeable microporous filter, and into the liquid water chamber; humidifying the gas flow in the liquid water chamber; and communicating the humidified gas flow through the humidifier system outlet. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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16. A breathing assistance system, comprising:
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a gas flow generation device configured to generate a gas flow; a humidifier; and a microporous filter located between the gas flow generation device and the humidifier such that the gas flow generated by the gas flow generation device flows through the microporous filter, subsequently becomes humidified in a chamber of the humidifier, and subsequently flows through an outlet of the humidifier; wherein the microporous filter is gas-permeable and liquid water-impermeable, such that the microporous filter prevents liquid in the humidifier from flowing to the gas flow generation device in any orientation of the breathing assistance system.
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Specification