Position independent humidifier apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An omniorientable humidifier assembly for humidifying a breathable gas, said humidifier assembly comprising:
- a hollow housing;
a gas inlet means in said housing;
a gas outlet means in said housing; and
a vapor discharge means in said housing;
said vapor discharge means arranged so as to define a plurality of flow paths in said housing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet means, whereby to maximize the vapor discharge capabilities of said humidifier assembly;
said gas inlet means comprising a bifurcated junction which directs gas from a conduit separately into said flow paths in said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A humidification apparatus for utilization in human respiration systems comprising a hollow housing in which an envelope of vapor permeable water impermeable material is arranged to divide the housing generally in half. A heater and a water supply conduit are arranged in the envelope. A gas inlet and a gas outlet port are disposed through the housing and are in communication with each other. The heater changes the water into vapor and permits it to pass through the envelope and be carried with the gas, out of the housing to a patient.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An omniorientable humidifier assembly for humidifying a breathable gas, said humidifier assembly comprising:
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a hollow housing; a gas inlet means in said housing; a gas outlet means in said housing; and a vapor discharge means in said housing; said vapor discharge means arranged so as to define a plurality of flow paths in said housing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet means, whereby to maximize the vapor discharge capabilities of said humidifier assembly; said gas inlet means comprising a bifurcated junction which directs gas from a conduit separately into said flow paths in said housing.
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2. An omniorientable humidifier assembly for humidifying a breathable gas, said humidifier assembly comprising:
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a hollow housing; a gas inlet means in said housing; a gas outlet means in said housing; and a vapor discharge means in said housing; said vapor discharge means arranged so as to define a plurality of flow paths in said housing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet means, whereby to maximize the vapor discharge capabilities of said humidifier assembly; said gas outlet means comprising a bifurcated junction which receives treated gas from said plurality of flow paths in said housing into a common conduit for transmission to a patient.
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3. A position independent humidifier apparatus, comprising:
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a hollow housing; as a vapor permeable enclosure arranged in said hollow housing; a heater arranged in said vapor permeable enclosure; a water supply means in communication with said vapor permeable enclosure; and a gas inlet and a gas outlet each in communication with said hollow housing to direct gas over more than one surface of said vapor permeable enclosure, to optimize the heat-moisture transfer therefrom. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. An omniorientable humidifier assembly for humidifying a breathable gas, said humidifier assembly comprising:
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a hollow housing; a gas inlet means in said housing; a gas outlet means in said housing; and a vapor discharge means in said housing; said vapor discharge means arranged so as to define a plurality of flow paths in said housing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet means, whereby to maximize the vapor discharge capabilities of said humidifier assembly; said vapor discharge means comprising a vapor permeable envelope having a heater and a water discharge means therein. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A position independent humidifier apparatus, comprising;
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a hollow housing; a vapor permeable enclosure arranged in said hollow housing; a heater arranged in said vapor permeable enclosure; a water supply means in communication with said vapor permeable enclosure; a gas inlet and a gas outlet each in communication with said hollow housing to direct gas from a source to the apparatus and from the apparatus to a patient, once the gas has been treated within the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A position independent humidifier apparatus comprising;
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a pair of housing members having a peripheral wall therearound, to define a hollow housing; a vapor permeable fluid impermeable enclosure arranged in said housing; a heater arranged within said enclosure; a water supply means arranged in communication with said enclosure; and a pair of gas passageways arranged in said housing and in communication with one another to permit gas brought into said housing to be treated by reaction with said enclosure and discharged out of said housing. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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25. An omniorientable humidifier assembly for humidifying a breathable gas, said humidifier assembly comprising:
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a hollow housing comprising a pair of housing members of disc-like configuration having peripheral walls which mate together; a gas inlet means in said housing; a gas outlet means in said housing; and a vapor discharge means in said housing; said vapor discharge means arranged so as to define a plurality of flow paths in said housing between said gas inlet and said gas outlet means, whereby no maximize the vapor discharge capabilities of said humidifier assembly.
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Specification