Humidifier for breathable gas apparatus
First Claim
1. A humidifier for use with a breathable gas supply apparatus, said humidifier comprising:
- a hollow body adapted for partial filling with water to a predetermined maximum water level;
a gas inlet to the body above the maximum water level;
a gas outlet from the body above the maximum water level;
a constant temperature heating element to heat the water in the body; and
an adjustable flow divider adapted to divide the interior of the body above the maximum water level into a relatively dry gas region and a relatively wet gas region.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A humidifier for use with a breathable gas supply apparatus includes a hollow body adapted for partial filling with water to a predetermined maximum water level, a gas inlet to the body above the maximum water level and a gas outlet from the body above the maximum water level. The humidifier further includes a constant temperature heating element for heating the water and/or an adjustable flow divider adapted to divide the interior of the body above the maximum water level into a relatively dry gas region and a relatively wet gas region. The position of the divider is variable so as to vary the relative proportion of the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet that passes through the relatively dry and relatively wet gas regions to thereby vary the amount of humidification thereof.
215 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A humidifier for use with a breathable gas supply apparatus, said humidifier comprising:
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a hollow body adapted for partial filling with water to a predetermined maximum water level;
a gas inlet to the body above the maximum water level;
a gas outlet from the body above the maximum water level;
a constant temperature heating element to heat the water in the body; and
an adjustable flow divider adapted to divide the interior of the body above the maximum water level into a relatively dry gas region and a relatively wet gas region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A humidifier for use with a breathable gas supply apparatus, said humidifier comprising:
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a hollow body adapted for partial filling with water to a predetermined maximum water level;
a gas inlet to the body above the maximum water level;
a gas outlet from the body above the maximum water level;
a heater to heat the water in the body; and
an adjustable flow divider adapted to divide the interior of the body above the maximum water level into a relatively dry gas region and a relatively wet gas region, wherein the position of the divider is variable so as to vary the relatively dry and relatively wet gas regions to thereby vary the amount of humidification thereof, wherein the position of the divider is variable between a first position in which all of the gas is diverted to the relatively wet gas region for maximum humidification, and a second position in which all of the gas is diverted to the relatively dry gas region for minimum humidification; and
the divider is a generally planar plate of substantially complimentary cross section to the interior of the body above maximum water level. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13)
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14. A humidifier for use with a breathable gas supply apparatus, said humidifier comprising:
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a hollow body adapted for partial filling with water to a predetermined maximum water level;
a gas inlet to the body above maximum water level;
a gas outlet from the body above the maximum water level;
a constant temperature heating element for heating the water; and
an adjustable flow divider adapted to divide the interior of the body above the maximum water level into a relatively dry gas region and a relatively wet gas region, wherein the position of the divider is variable so as to vary the relative portion of the gas flowing from the inlet to the outlet that passes though the relatively dry and relatively wet gas regions to thereby vary the amount of humidification thereof.
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Specification