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Apparatus for humidifying a respiratory gas

  • US 9,555,211 B2
  • Filed: 12/11/2015
  • Issued: 01/31/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for delivering pressurized, humidified breathable gas to a patient having a sleep-related disorder, the apparatus comprising:

  • a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) unit comprising a blower configured to generate a flow of pressurized breathable gas;

    a liquid storage container configured to hold a body of liquid, the liquid storage container comprising;

    a gas feed opening configured to receive the flow of pressurized breathable gas from the CPAP unit;

    a gas discharge opening;

    a horizontally extending bottom comprising metallic heat conducting material; and

    a humidifying region in an intermediate flow path between the gas feed opening and the gas discharge opening, the humidifying region being above the metallic heat conducting material, the humidifying region being a region inside the liquid storage container in which the flow of pressurized breathable gas generated by the CPAP unit passes over and receives water vapor generated from the body of liquid in use; and

    a support housing integrated directly into the CPAP unit and having a receiving space configured to removably receive the liquid storage container, the support housing comprising;

    a gas feed flow path in fluid communication with an outlet of the CPAP unit, the gas feed flow path being open to the receiving space;

    a gas discharge flow path configured to be fluidly connected to an air delivery tube, the gas discharge flow path being open to the receiving space; and

    a horizontally extending heater plate in a wall of a bottom region of the support housing,wherein the gas feed flow path and the gas discharge flow path are separated from each other, andwherein the liquid storage container is structured such that when the liquid storage container is received by the support housing, the gas feed opening aligns with the gas feed flow path and the gas discharge opening aligns with the gas discharge flow path so that the liquid storage container fluidly connects the gas feed flow path and the gas discharge flow path.

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