Humidifier with structure to prevent backflow of liquid through the humidifier inlet
DCFirst Claim
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1. An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas comprising:
- at least one humidifier part configured to retain a body of liquid therein and defining at least one chamber therein, the at least one humidifier part including a top cover, a base, and a divider disposed between the top cover and base, wherein the base defines a receptacle formed therewithin that retains the body of liquid in the working orientation of the apparatus, and the base is made at least partially of a heat conducting material in the form of a metallic cap that is structured to cover an opening of the base;
an inlet communicated with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a blower outlet of a blower; and
an outlet communicated with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a patient supply conduit, wherein the at least one chamber is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the at least one humidifier part through the inlet thereof when the at least one humidifier part is rotated from a working, upright orientation.
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Abstract
An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas includes (a) at least one humidifier part configured to retain a body of liquid therein and defining at least one chamber therein, (b) an inlet communicated with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a blower outlet, and (c) an oulet communicated with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a patient supply conduit. The at least one chamber is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the at least one humidifier part through the inlet thereof when the at least one humidifier part is rotated from a working, upright orientation.
180 Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas comprising:
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at least one humidifier part configured to retain a body of liquid therein and defining at least one chamber therein, the at least one humidifier part including a top cover, a base, and a divider disposed between the top cover and base, wherein the base defines a receptacle formed therewithin that retains the body of liquid in the working orientation of the apparatus, and the base is made at least partially of a heat conducting material in the form of a metallic cap that is structured to cover an opening of the base;
an inlet communicated with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a blower outlet of a blower; and
an outlet communicated with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a patient supply conduit, wherein the at least one chamber is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the at least one humidifier part through the inlet thereof when the at least one humidifier part is rotated from a working, upright orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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9. An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas comprising:
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at least one humidifier part configured to retain a body of liquid therein and defining at least one chamber therein;
an inlet communicated with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a blower outlet; and
an outlet communicated with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a patient supply conduit;
wherein the at least one chamber is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the at least one humidifier part through the inlet thereof when the at least one humidifier part is rotated from a working, upright orientation, wherein the at least one humidifier part includes a top cover, a base, and a divider disposed between the top cover and base, wherein the base defines a receptacle formed therewithin that retains the body of liquid in the working orientation of the apparatus, wherein the top cover and the divider together define a first chamber having a first chamber inlet and a first chamber outlet and the receptacle and the divider together form a second chamber having a second chamber inlet and a second chamber outlet, and wherein the first chamber inlet and the second chamber outlet are formed in the top cover and the first chamber outlet and the second chamber inlet are formed in the divider, the first chamber outlet and the second chamber inlet being defined by a single aperture in the divider which communicates the first and second chambers. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas comprising:
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at least one humidifier part configured to retain a body of liquid therein and defining at least one chamber therein;
an inlet communicated with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a blower outlet; and
an outlet communicated with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connectable to a patient supply conduit;
wherein the at least one chamber is arranged such that liquid from the body of liquid is prevented from exiting the at least one humidifier part through the inlet thereof when the at least one humidifier part is rotated from a working, upright orientation, wherein the at least one humidifier part includes a top cover, a base, and a divider disposed between the top cover and base, wherein the base defines a receptacle formed therewithin that retains the body of liquid in the working orientation of the apparatus, wherein the top cover and the divider together define a first chamber and the receptacle and the divider together form a second chamber having a second chamber outlet, and wherein the divider includes a plurality of apertures, separated by ribs, which provide fluid communication from the second chamber to the second chamber outlet formed in the top cover. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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19. An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas comprising:
a chamber having an inlet to receive pressurized breathable gas and an outlet to deliver the pressurized breathable gas with added humidity, said chamber being structured to accommodate a predetermined maximum liquid volume defining a liquid level in the chamber, said chamber including first and second chambers communicating via an aperture, the aperture including an axis that is transverse to an axis of the inlet, the liquid level being maintained below the level of at least one of the inlet and the aperture upon rotation of the chamber up to about 80°
-110°
in each direction as measured from the normal operating position of the apparatus.
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20. An apparatus for humidifying breathable gas comprising:
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at least one humidifier part to retain a body of liquid therein and to define at least one chamber therein;
an inlet in communication with an interior of the at least one humidifier part and connected to a blower outlet in use;
an outlet in communication with the interior of the at least one humidifier part and connected to a patient supply conduit in use; and
a top cover defining both the inlet and the outlet. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification