Humidifier with structure to prevent backflow of liquid through the humidifier inlet

• US RE46,079 E1
• Filed: 08/23/2013
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cheung, Andrew, Virr, Alexander, Smith, Ian Malcolm, Lithgow, Perry David, Jones, Richard Llewelyn
• Primary Examiner(s): KAUFMAN, JOSEPH A
• Application Number:
  US13/944,960
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• Field of Search: 128/204.14, 128/204.17, 128/206.12, 128/205.17, 12820316-20317, 12820326-20327
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/21 insensitive to tilting or inclination, e.g. spill-over prevention
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 261/65 Vaporizers

Abstract

A humidifier includes a base configured to retain a body of liquid therein, a top cover, and a seal disposed between the top cover and the base. At least a portion of the base is constructed of a heat conducting material. The top cover defines both an inlet and an outlet communicated with an interior of the base. The inlet is configured to receive pressurized breathable gas and the outlet is configured to deliver the pressurized breathable gas with added humidity.

Claims

1. A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus, comprising

a humidifier including

a base configured to retain a body of liquid therein, at least a portion of the base being constructed of a heat conducting material,

a top cover, and

a seal disposed between the top cover and the base;

and

a connecting structure configured to connect between the CPAP apparatus and humidifier and allow communication of an outlet of the CPAP apparatus with the inlet of the humidifier, the connecting structure including

a housing providing a base portion to support the humidifier thereon, and

a retaining mechanism configured to secure the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus,

wherein the base portion includes a heating element in contact with the heat conducting material of the base of the humidifier.

2. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the top cover defines both an inlet and an outlet communicated with an interior of the base, the inlet configured to receive pressurized breathable gas and the outlet configured to deliver the pressurized breathable gas with added humidity.

3. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure includes a control knob to control a heat setting of the heating element.

4. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure includes contact elements that communicate with a power supply within the CPAP apparatus.

5. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connecting structure is configured to allow removable attachment of the CPAP apparatus to the humidifier.

6. A humidifier assembly according to claim 1, wherein the heat conducting material is a metallic material.

7. A CPAP apparatus including a humidifier assembly according to claim 1.

8. A humidifier, comprising:

a humidifier body configured to retain a body of liquid having a predetermined maximum volume, the humidifier body comprising;

a humidifier body inlet adapted to receive a flow of breathable gas;

a humidifier body outlet adapted to deliver the flow of breathable gas with added humidity;

a gas introduction chamber having a gas introduction chamber inlet and a gas introduction chamber outlet, the gas introduction chamber inlet being adapted to receive the flow of breathable gas from the humidifier body inlet; and

a humidification chamber in communication with the gas introduction chamber and the humidifier body outlet, wherein

the gas introduction chamber outlet serves as a humidification chamber inlet,

the gas introduction chamber inlet is oriented to direct the flow of breathable gas in a substantially horizontal direction when the humidifier is in an upright, operating position,

the humidification chamber comprises a bottom portion below the gas introduction chamber when the humidifier is in the upright, operating position, and comprises a side portion beside the gas introduction chamber when the humidifier is in the upright, operating position,

wherein each of the gas introduction chamber and the humidification chamber has an upper boundary that is defined by a common upper wall portion of the humidifier body,

the gas introduction chamber inlet and the gas introduction chamber outlet are positioned above the liquid when the humidifier body retains the maximum volume of liquid and is in the upright, operating position,

the gas introduction and humidification chambers are configured so that when the humidifier body retains the maximum volume of liquid and is rotated from an upright, operating position by about 80°

-110°

, a maximum level of liquid in the humidifier body remains below at least one of the gas introduction chamber inlet and the gas introduction chamber outlet.

9. The humidifier according to claim 8, wherein a volume of the gas introduction chamber is smaller than a volume of the humidification chamber.

10. The humidifier according to claim 9, wherein the gas introduction chamber inlet and the gas introduction chamber outlet are located at substantially diagonally opposing sections of the gas introduction chamber.

11. The humidifier according to claim 9, wherein the volume of the humidification chamber is greater than the predetermined maximum volume of liquid.

12. The humidifier according to claim 8, wherein the humidifier body includes at least one securing element positioned, configured and dimensioned to detachably secure the humidifier body to a connecting structure configured to detachably connect between a CPAP apparatus and the humidifier body.

13. The humidifier according to claim 12, wherein the at least one securing element includes a pair of locking lugs each configured to be received in a respective recess of the connecting structure once the humidifier body is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure.

14. The humidifier according to claim 13, wherein the humidifier body includes an upper portion having an external recess.

155. A CPAP system including a blower to generate a flow of pressurized breathable gas and the humidifier according to claim 8.

15. A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus, the humidifier assembly comprising:

a humidifier comprising a reservoir configured to retain a body of liquid having a predetermined maximum volume, the reservoir comprising a first chamber adapted to receive breathable gas from the CPAP apparatus, and a second chamber adapted to receive a flow of breathable gas from the first chamber; and

a connecting structure configured to connect the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier, the connecting structure comprising;

a base portion to support the humidifier thereon;

a first wall face;

a second wall face opposite the first wall face, the first and second wall faces extending from the base portion and being positioned between the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier when connecting the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier; and

a retaining mechanism configured to detachably secure the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus, the retaining mechanism being positioned on the first wall face,

wherein the base portion and the second wall face form at least a part of a receptacle adapted to laterally receive the humidifier, and

wherein the first wall face is configured to engage a corresponding face of the CPAP apparatus.

16. The humidifier assembly according to claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the humidifier remains exposed when the humidifier is received within the receptacle.

17. The humidifier assembly according to claim 16, wherein the base comprises a heating element configured to engage a heat conducting plate of the humidifier when the humidifier is retained in the receptacle.

18. The humidifier assembly according to claim 17, wherein the second wall face comprises an extension member extending away from the first wall face, the extension member being configured to interact with the humidifier so that the heat conducting plate is biased into engagement with the heating element.

19. The humidifier assembly according to claim 18, wherein the heating element is a flat plate-like resistance heater.

20. The humidifier assembly according to claim 19, wherein the first wall face and the second wall face each have an opening, and wherein the opening of the first wall face cooperates with the opening configured to define a gas flow passage.

21. The humidifier assembly according to claim 20, wherein the opening in the second wall face is adapted to be fluidly connected to an inlet of the first chamber of the humidifier when the humidifier is received within the receptacle.

22. The humidifier assembly according to claim 21, wherein the first wall face comprises an electrical connecting member configured to engage a corresponding electrical member of the CPAP apparatus.

23. The humidifier assembly according to claim 22, wherein the electrical connecting member is positioned toward a lower portion of the first wall face.

24. The humidifier assembly according to claim 23, wherein the connecting structure further comprises biased locking members that are configured to engage the CPAP apparatus to secure the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus.

25. The humidifier assembly according to claim 23, wherein an outlet of the first chamber serves as an inlet of the second chamber.

26. The humidifier assembly according to claim 25, wherein the second chamber is configured to contain the predetermined maximum volume of liquid.

27. The humidifier assembly according to claim 25, wherein an inlet of the first chamber faces a horizontal direction when the humidifier is in an upright, operating position.

28. The humidifier assembly according to claim 27, wherein the first chamber inlet and the first chamber outlet are positioned above the maximum volume of liquid when the humidifier is in the upright, operating position.

29. The humidifier assembly according to claim 28, wherein the first and second chambers are configured so that when the reservoir retains the predetermined maximum volume of liquid and is rotated from an upright, operating position by about 80°

-110°

around an axis parallel to a bottom face of the humidifier, a maximum level of liquid in the humidifier remains below at least one of the first chamber inlet and the first chamber outlet.

30. The humidifier assembly according to claim 29, wherein a volume of the first chamber is smaller than a volume of the second chamber.

31. The humidifier assembly according to claim 30, wherein the first chamber inlet and the first chamber outlet are located at diametrically opposing sections of the first chamber.

32. The humidifier assembly according to claim 31, wherein the volume of the second chamber is greater than the predetermined maximum volume of liquid.

33. The humidifier assembly according to claim 32, wherein the reservoir is formed of a transparent material.

34. The humidifier assembly according to claim 33, wherein the connecting structure further comprising a release member configured to release the CPAP apparatus from engagement with the connecting structure.

35. The humidifier assembly according to claim 34, wherein the release member is provided in the base portion of the housing.

36. The humidifier assembly according to claim 33, wherein the connecting structure is configured to receive and secure the humidifier when the connecting structure and the humidifier are moved laterally toward each other in a first direction and is configured to engage the CPAP apparatus when the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are moved laterally toward each other in a second direction, the first and second directions being the same.

37. The humidifier assembly according to claim 15 wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a movable locking member.

38. The humidifier assembly according to claim 37 wherein the movable locking member is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position.

39. The humidifier assembly according to claim 38 wherein the movable locking member is resiliently biased towards the engaged position.

40. The humidifier assembly according to claim 37 further comprising an aperture configured to receive the movable locking member.

41. The humidifier assembly according to claim 15 wherein the retaining mechanism comprises a movable button structure configured to allow manual release of the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus.

42. The humidifier assembly according to claim 41, wherein the movable button structure is coupled to a locking member.

43. The humidifier assembly according to claim 42, wherein movable button structure is configured such that manual movement of the button structure moves the locking member out of a biased position.

44. A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus, comprising:

a humidifier having a reservoir for a body of liquid, and a fluid passage between an inlet, provided at a rear wall of the humidifier, and an outlet of the humidifier for exposure of a flow of pressurized breathable gas from the CPAP apparatus to the body of liquid, the humidifier comprising;

a base configured to retain the body of liquid therein and including a heat conducting metallic plate, and

a top cover above the base, the top cover including the outlet; and

a connecting structure configured to allow connection between the CPAP apparatus and humidifier and allow communication of an outlet of the CPAP apparatus with the inlet of the humidifier, the connecting structure comprising a housing, the housing providing a horizontal receptacle within which the humidifier is removably disposed by horizontally inserting the humidifier within and pulling it out of the receptacle, the housing comprising a base portion forming a lower surface of the receptacle and configured to support the humidifier thereon, a heating element positioned on the lower surface and in thermal contact with the heat conducting metallic plate of the base when the humidifier is disposed in the receptacle, a first locking portion configured to assist in locking the humidifier in the horizontal receptacle, a second locking portion configured to assist in locking the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus.

45. The humidifier assembly according to claim 44, wherein the base and the top cover are detachably connected to each other.

46. The humidifier assembly according to claim 44, wherein the humidifier includes a divider therein that divides an interior of the humidifier into first and second chambers.

47. The humidifier assembly according to claim 46, wherein the first chamber is adapted to receive the pressurized breathable gas from the inlet of the humidifier, and convey the pressurized breathable gas from the first chamber to the second chamber via a passage formed in the divider.

48. The humidifier assembly according to claim 47, wherein a maximum volume of the body of liquid is contained entirely in the second chamber when the humidifier is in a normal, upright operating position.

49. The humidifier assembly according to claim 47, wherein the heating element is upwardly resiliently biased to ensure adequate thermal contact between the heating element and the heat conducting metallic plate.

50. The humidifier assembly according to claim 49, wherein, while the connecting structure is fastened to the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier is locked on the connecting structure, the humidifier is configured to prevent or discourage liquid from the body of liquid from exiting through the inlet of the humidifier into the outlet of the CPAP apparatus, if as a unit the humidifier, the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are inadvertently rotated 80-110 degrees from an upright working orientation to each of a plurality of non-upright orientations.

51. The humidifier assembly according to claim 50, wherein the connecting structure includes an upstanding wall portion that extends in a substantially vertical orientation, the humidifier having a rear wall that abuts or is proximate the upstanding wall portion when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the upstanding wall portion including an opening that aligns with the inlet of the humidifier when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the opening being configured to allow communication of the pressurized breathable gas from the outlet of the CPAP apparatus to the inlet of the humidifier.

52. A CPAP system including the humidifier assembly according to claim 51.

53. The CPAP system according to claim 52, wherein the connecting structure includes a controller to control the heating element of the connecting structure.

54. The humidifier assembly according to claim 44, wherein the connecting structure includes a movable button structure configured to allow manual release of the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus, the connecting structure being operatively connected to the second locking portion to move a biased locking member of the second locking portion out of a biased position.

55. A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus, comprising

a humidifier configured to retain a body of liquid therein, the humidifier having an inlet configured to receive pressurized breathable gas and an outlet configured to deliver the pressurized breathable gas with added humidity, the humidifier including:

a base, at least a portion of the base being constructed of a heat conducting material,

a cover having the inlet and the outlet of the humidifier, and

a seal between the cover and the base; and

a connecting structure configured to removably connect between the CPAP apparatus and humidifier and allow communication of an outlet of the CPAP apparatus with the inlet of the humidifier, the connecting structure including;

a housing providing a base portion to support the humidifier thereon, wherein the base portion includes a heating element in contact with the heat conducting material of the base of the humidifier, and

a retaining structure configured to fasten the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus,

wherein, while the connecting structure is fastened to the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier is supported on the connecting structure, the humidifier is configured to prevent or discourage liquid from the body of liquid from exiting through the inlet of the humidifier into the outlet of the CPAP apparatus, if as a unit the humidifier, the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are rotated 80-110 degrees from an upright working orientation to each of a plurality of non-upright orientations.

56. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein the retaining structure includes a locking member configured to lock the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus.

57. The humidifier assembly of claim 56, further comprising a securing mechanism to detachably lock the humidifier to the connecting structure.

58. The humidifier assembly of claim 57, wherein the connecting structure includes an upstanding wall portion positioned towards a rearward side of the connecting structure, the upstanding wall portion having the retaining structure, the retaining structure being configured to removably fasten the rearward side of the connecting structure to a frontward side of the CPAP apparatus.

59. The humidifier assembly of claim 57, wherein the securing mechanism includes a plurality of locking lugs formed on the humidifier and plurality of recesses provided in the connecting structure, wherein the humidifier is structured for connecting to the connecting structure by moving the humidifier in a generally horizontal direction relative to the connecting structure until a fully inserted position is achieved, at which position the lugs are moveable in a generally vertical direction into the respective recesses, to therefore lock the humidifier against withdrawal from the connecting structure.

60. The humidifier assembly of claim 59, wherein each lug positively engages with a side wall surface of the respective recess when in the fully inserted position, each said side wall surface extending in the generally vertical direction.

61. The humidifier assembly of claim 60, further comprising a biasing element to bias the locking lugs into the respective recesses.

62. The humidifier assembly of claim 61, wherein, to allow removal of the humidifier from the connecting structure, the biasing element is manually movable to allow the lugs to withdraw from engagement with the recesses, at which point the humidifier is pulled out from the connecting structure in the generally horizontal direction.

63. The humidifier assembly of claim 59, wherein, to allow removal of the humidifier from the connecting structure, the lugs are manually movable in the generally vertical direction to withdraw the lugs from engagement with the recesses, at which point the humidifier is pulled out from the connecting structure in the generally horizontal direction.

64. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein the humidifier includes a divider therein that divides an interior of the humidifier into first and second chambers, and wherein the first chamber is adapted to receive the pressurized breathable gas from the inlet of the humidifier, and convey the pressurized breathable gas from the first chamber to the second chamber via a passage formed in the divider.

65. The humidifier assembly of claim 64, wherein a maximum volume of the body of liquid is contained entirely in the second chamber when the humidifier is the upright operating orientation.

66. The humidifier assembly of claim 64, wherein the non-upright orientations include positions where the humidifier is rotated about multiple horizontal axes.

67. The humidifier assembly of claim 66, wherein the non-upright orientations are those which occur when the humidifier is inadvertently rotated at least up to about 80°

-110°

in both clockwise and counterclockwise orientations relative to the horizontal axes.

68. The humidifier assembly of claim 66, wherein the horizontal axes include a first axis that runs from a front to a back of the humidifier, and a second axis that runs from lateral side to lateral side of the humidifier.

69. The humidifier assembly of claim 58, wherein the upstanding wall portion extends substantially vertically upwards from the base portion.

70. The humidifier assembly of claim 69, wherein:

the housing includes rear upper corner portions and rear lateral side portions that extend rearwardly from the upstanding wall portion and form a rearward-most part of the connecting structure, and

the rear upper corner portions and the rear lateral side portions are configured to hold the CPAP apparatus.

71. The humidifier assembly of claim 70, wherein the rear upper corner portions and rear lateral side portions are configured to hold the CPAP apparatus while the retaining structure fastens the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus.

72. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein the heating element is upwardly resiliently biased to ensure adequate thermal contact between the heating element and the heat conducting material.

73. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein the connecting structure includes an upstanding wall portion extending in a substantially vertical orientation compared to the base of the connecting structure, the humidifier having a rear wall that abuts or is proximate a front wall of the upstanding wall portion when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the upstanding wall portion including an opening in the front wall that aligns with the inlet of the humidifier when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the opening being configured to allow communication of the pressurized breathable gas from the outlet of the CPAP apparatus to the inlet of the humidifier.

74. The humidifier assembly of claim 73, wherein the inlet of the humidifier comprises a generally cylindrical tube that projects horizontally rearward from the rear wall of the humidifier, and wherein the tube extends into the opening when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure.

75. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein the retaining structure includes a recess adapted to receive a tab or prong of the CPAP apparatus, wherein the recess is configured to receive the tab or prong to detachably lock the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus.

76. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein a rearward side of the connecting structure comprises at least one electrical connecting member configured to engage a corresponding electrical member of the CPAP apparatus for power supply and control of the heating element.

77. The humidifier assembly of claim 76, wherein the electrical connecting member is positioned toward a lower portion of the rearward side.

78. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein the connecting structure is configured to receive and secure the humidifier when the connecting structure and the humidifier are moved laterally toward each other in a first direction and is configured to engage the CPAP apparatus when the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are moved laterally toward each other in a second direction, the first and second directions being the same.

79. A CPAP system including the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier assembly of claim 55.

80. The CPAP system of claim 79, further comprising a button structure to counteract biased engagement between a prong or tab of the CPAP apparatus and a recess of the connecting structure, wherein manual movement of the button structure causes relative movement between the prong or tab and the recess, to unlock the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus, at which point the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are releasable from one another.

81. The CPAP system of claim 80, wherein the CPAP apparatus includes a controller to control the heating element of the connecting structure, as well as at least one electrical connecting member to allow power supply from the CPAP apparatus to the connecting structure.

82. A CPAP system including the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier assembly of claim 57, further comprising a button structure to counteract biased engagement between a prong or tab of the CPAP apparatus and a recess of the connecting structure, wherein manual movement of the button structure causes relative movement between the prong or tab and the recess, to unlock the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus, at which point the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are releasable from one another.

83. The CPAP system of claim 82, wherein the CPAP apparatus includes a controller to control the heating element of the connecting structure, as well as at least one electrical connecting member to allow power supply from the CPAP apparatus to the connecting structure.

84. The humidifier assembly of claim 55, wherein the connecting structure includes a movable button structure configured to allow manual release of the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus, the connecting structure being operatively connected to the retaining structure to move a biased locking member of the retaining structure out of a biased position.

85. A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus, comprising:

a humidifier that defines a reservoir for a body of liquid, and a fluid passage between an inlet, provided at a rear wall of the humidifier, and an outlet of the humidifier, for exposure of a flow of pressurized breathable gas from the CPAP apparatus to the body of liquid, the humidifier comprising;

a base having a bottom portion constructed of a heat conducting metallic material,

side wall portions extending upwardly from the bottom portion, the side wall portions and the bottom portion together being configured to retain a body of liquid therein, and

a cover above the base, the cover including the inlet and the outlet; and

a connecting structure configured to allow connection between the CPAP apparatus and humidifier and allow communication of an outlet of the CPAP apparatus with the inlet of the humidifier, the connecting structure comprising a housing, the housing providing a generally horizontal, open receptacle within which the humidifier is removably disposed by generally horizontally inserting the humidifier within and pulling it out of the receptacle, the housing comprising a base portion forming a lower surface of the receptacle and configured to support the humidifier thereon, and a heating element positioned on the lower surface and in thermal contact with the heat conducting metallic material of the base when the humidifier is disposed in the receptacle,

the connecting structure further including a humidifier attaching structure that removably attaches the humidifier in the generally horizontal receptacle, and a CPAP apparatus attaching structure configured to removably attach the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus,

wherein the connecting structure includes an upstanding wall portion that extends in a substantially vertical orientation, the humidifier having a rear wall that abuts or is proximate the upstanding wall portion when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the upstanding wall portion including an opening that aligns with the inlet of the humidifier when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the opening being configured to allow communication of the pressurized breathable gas from the outlet of the CPAP apparatus to the inlet of the humidifier,

wherein the inlet of the humidifier comprises a generally cylindrical tube that projects horizontally rearward from the rear wall of the humidifier, and wherein the tube extends into the opening when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure.

86. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein the base and the cover are detachably connected to each other.

87. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein the humidifier includes a removable divider therein that divides an interior of the humidifier into first and second chambers.

88. The humidifier assembly according to claim 87, wherein the first chamber is adapted to receive the pressurized breathable gas from the inlet of the humidifier, and convey the pressurized breathable gas from the first chamber to the second chamber via a passage formed in the divider.

89. The humidifier assembly according to claim 87, wherein the humidifier is constructed to prevent or discourage spillback of liquid through the inlet of the humidifier when the humidifier is inadvertently moved from a normal, upright positon to each of a plurality of non-upright positions in which the humidifier assembly is not designed to operate.

90. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, further comprising a seal between the base and the cover.

91. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein the base is at least partially formed of a transparent material.

92. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein the heating element is upwardly resiliently biased to ensure adequate thermal contact between the heating element and the heat conducting metallic material.

93. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein the humidifier attaching structure includes a plurality of recesses of the connecting structure that receive corresponding lugs on the humidifier when the humidifier is fully inserted into the open receptacle.

94. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein:

the humidifier includes a removable divider therein that divides an interior of the humidifier into first and second chambers, and

the first chamber is adapted to receive the pressurized breathable gas from the inlet of the humidifier, and convey the pressurized breathable gas from the first chamber to the second chamber via a passage formed in the divider.

95. The humidifier assembly according to claim 94, wherein, while the connecting structure is attached to the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier is supported on the connecting structure, the humidifier is configured to prevent or discourage liquid from the body of liquid from exiting through the inlet of the humidifier into the outlet of the CPAP apparatus, if as a unit the humidifier, the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are inadvertently rotated 80-110 degrees from an upright working orientation to each of a plurality of non-upright orientations.

96. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein connecting structure is removably locked to the humidifier and the connecting structure is configured to be removably locked to the CPAP apparatus.

97. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein the heat conducting metallic material comprises a metallic plate having a horizontal portion and an upstanding wall along at least a portion of the plate, the upstanding wall having a lip positioned at a distal end of the upstanding wall, the lip extending generally parallel to the horizontal portion of the plate.

98. The humidifier assembly according to claim 97, further comprising a resilient seal member positioned at a junction where the plate and the side wall portions of the humidifier meet.

99. The humidifier assembly according to claim 97, further comprising a flange integrally formed with at least one of the side wall portions of the base of the humidifier, the flange and a portion of the plate being positioned to overlap one another in a horizontal plane.

100. A CPAP system including the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier assembly according to claim 85.

101. The CPAP system according to claim 100 wherein the CPAP apparatus includes a controller to control the heating element of the connecting structure.

102. A CPAP system including the humidifier assembly according to claim 95.

103. A CPAP system including the humidifier assembly according to claim 96.

104. The humidifier assembly according to claim 85, wherein the connecting structure includes a movable button structure configured to allow manual release of the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus, the connecting structure being operatively connected to the CPAP apparatus attaching structure to move a biased locking member of the CPAP apparatus attaching structure out of a biased position.

105. A humidifier, comprising:

a humidifier body configured to retain a body of liquid having a predetermined maximum volume, the humidifier body comprising;

a humidifier body inlet configured to receive a flow of breathable gas;

a humidifier body outlet adapted to deliver the flow of breathable gas with added humidity;

a gas introduction chamber having a gas introduction chamber inlet and a gas introduction chamber outlet, the gas introduction chamber inlet being adapted to receive the flow of breathable gas from the humidifier body inlet;

a humidification chamber in communication with the gas introduction chamber and the humidifier body outlet, the humidification chamber having a bottom surface comprising heat conductive metallic material, and

a cover that defines an upper boundary of both the gas introduction chamber and at least a portion of the humidification chamber, the cover including the humidifier body outlet, wherein;

the gas introduction chamber outlet serves as a humidification chamber inlet,

the gas introduction chamber inlet faces a horizontal direction when the humidifier is in an upright, operating position,

the humidification chamber comprises a bottom portion below the gas introduction chamber when the humidifier is in the upright, operating position, and comprises a side portion beside the gas introduction chamber when the humidifier is in the upright, operating position,

the gas introduction chamber outlet is positioned above the liquid when the humidifier body retains the maximum volume of liquid and is in the upright, operating position, and

the gas introduction chamber and the humidification chamber are configured so that when the humidifier body retains the maximum volume of liquid and is rotated around a horizontal axis parallel to the bottom surface of the humidifier chamber, in each of clockwise and counterclockwise directions, from the upright, operating position to a plurality of non-upright positions, the possibility of liquid flowing from the humidification chamber and out through the humidifier inlet is discouraged or prevented.

106. The humidifier of claim 105, wherein a volume of the gas introduction chamber is smaller than a volume of the humidification chamber.

107. The humidifier of claim 106, wherein the gas introduction chamber inlet and the gas introduction chamber outlet are located at substantively diagonally opposite sections of the gas introduction chamber.

108. The humidifier of claim 107, wherein the volume of the humidification chamber is greater than the predetermined maximum volume of liquid.

109. The humidifier of claim 105, wherein a maximum level of liquid in the humidifier body remains below at least one of the gas introduction chamber inlet and the gas introduction chamber outlet.

110. The humidifier of claim 105, wherein the non-upright positions include positions where the humidifier is inadvertently rotated about multiple horizontal axes.

111. The humidifier of claim 110, wherein the non-upright positions are those which occur when the humidifier is inadvertently rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise orientations relative to the horizontal axes.

112. The humidifier of claim 110, wherein the horizontal axes include a first axis that runs from a front to a back of the humidifier body, and a second axis that runs from lateral side to lateral side of the humidifier body.

113. The humidifier of claim 110, wherein the horizontal axes are perpendicular.

114. The humidifier of claim 105, wherein the humidifier body includes a side wall that defines a side wall boundary of both the gas introduction chamber and the humidification chamber.

115. The humidifier of claim 114, wherein the humidifier body inlet being positioned on a rear side wall of the humidifier body.

116. The humidifier of claim 114, wherein a lower boundary of the gas introduction chamber and an upper boundary of at least part of the humidifier chamber are formed with a common wall.

117. The humidifier of claim 105, wherein the humidifier body includes at least one securing element positioned, configured and dimensioned to detachably secure the humidifier body to a connecting structure configured to detachably connect between a CPAP apparatus and the humidifier body.

118. The humidifier of claim 117, wherein the at least one securing element includes a pair of locking lugs each configured to be received in a respective recess of the connecting structure once the humidifier body is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure.

119. The humidifier of claim 118, wherein the humidifier body includes an upper portion having an external recess.

156. A CPAP system including a blower to generate a flow of pressurized breathable gas and the humidifier of claim 105.

120. A humidifier, comprising:

a humidifier body comprising;

a humidifier body inlet configured to receive a flow of breathable gas, the humidifier body inlet including a cylindrical tube that extends rearward from a rear wall of the humidifier body;

a humidifier body outlet adapted to deliver the flow of breathable gas with added humidity;

a gas introduction chamber having a gas introduction chamber inlet and a gas introduction chamber outlet, the gas introduction chamber inlet being adapted to receive the flow of breathable gas from the cylindrical tube;

a humidification chamber in communication with the gas introduction chamber and the humidifier body outlet, the humidification chamber having a bottom surface comprising heat conductive metallic material, and

a top cover that defines an upper boundary of both the gas introduction chamber and at least a portion of the humidification chamber, the top cover including the humidifier body outlet, wherein;

the gas introduction chamber outlet serves as a humidification chamber inlet,

the gas introduction chamber outlet is positioned above the maximum volume of liquid when the humidifier body is in the upright, operating position, and

when the humidifier body retains a volume of liquid and is moved from the upright, operating position to each of a plurality of non-upright positions, the possibility of liquid flowing from the humidification chamber and out through the humidifier inlet is discouraged or prevented.

121. The humidifier of claim 120, wherein a volume of the gas introduction chamber is smaller than a volume of the humidification chamber.

122. The humidifier of claim 121, wherein the gas introduction chamber inlet and the gas introduction chamber outlet are located at adjacent wall sections of the gas introduction chamber.

123. The humidifier of claim 122, wherein the volume of the humidification chamber is greater than the predetermined maximum volume of liquid.

124. The humidifier of claim 120, wherein a maximum level of liquid in the humidifier body remains below at least one of the gas introduction chamber inlet and the gas introduction chamber outlet.

125. The humidifier of claim 120, wherein the non-upright positions include positions where the humidifier is inadvertently rotated about multiple horizontal axes.

126. The humidifier of claim 125, wherein the non-upright positions are those which occur when the humidifier is inadvertently rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise orientations up to about 80-110 degrees relative to the horizontal axes.

127. The humidifier of claim 125, wherein the horizontal axes include a first axis that runs from a front to a back of the humidifier body, and a second axis that runs from lateral side to lateral side of the humidifier body.

128. The humidifier of claim 125, wherein the horizontal axes are perpendicular.

129. The humidifier of claim 120, wherein the rear wall of the humidifier body defines a rear wall boundary for both the gas introduction chamber and the humidification chamber.

130. The humidifier of claim 129, wherein a lower wall boundary of the gas introduction chamber and an upper wall boundary of at least part of the humidifier chamber are formed with a common wall.

131. The humidifier of claim 129, wherein at least part of the rear wall boundary spanning the gas introduction chamber and the humidifier chamber is substantially planar in a vertical direction.

132. The humidifier of claim 129, wherein the gas introduction chamber defines a gas path extending at least from the gas introduction chamber inlet to an interior upper surface of the humidifier body.

133. The humidifier of claim 120, wherein the humidifier body includes at least one externally located securing element positioned, configured and dimensioned to detachably secure the humidifier body to a connecting structure configured to detachably connect between a CPAP apparatus and the humidifier body.

134. The humidifier of claim 133, wherein the at least one securing element includes a pair of locking lugs each configured to be received in a respective recess of the connecting structure once the humidifier body is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure.

135. The humidifier of claim 134, wherein the humidifier body includes an upper portion having an external recess.

157. A CPAP system including a blower to generate a flow of pressurized breathable gas and the humidifier of claim 120.

136. A humidifier assembly for a CPAP apparatus, comprising:

a humidifier to expose of a flow of pressurized breathable gas from the CPAP apparatus to a body of liquid, the humidifier comprising;

an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being provided proximate a rear wall of the humidifier,

a base including a heat conducting metallic plate, and

a top cover detachably connected to the base, the top cover including the outlet, and

an elastomeric seal between the base and the top cover;

a connecting structure configured to allow connection between the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier and allow communication of an outlet of the CPAP apparatus with the inlet of the humidifier without the need for an external flexible conduit extending between the CPAP apparatus and the connecting structure, the connecting structure comprising;

a housing providing a horizontal receptacle within which the humidifier is removably disposed by horizontally inserting the humidifier within and pulling it out of the receptacle, the housing comprising a base portion forming a lower surface of the receptacle and configured to support the humidifier thereon, and an upwardly biased heating element positioned on the lower surface and in thermal contact with the heat conducting metallic plate of the base when the humidifier is disposed in the receptacle,

a retaining mechanism having at least one biased locking member configured to lock the connecting structure to the CPAP apparatus,

a movable button structure operatively connected to the at least one biased locking member, whereby manual movement of the button structure moves the biased locking member from an engaged position to a disengaged position to allow for manual release of the connecting structure from the CPAP apparatus, and

a retaining portion configured to secure the humidifier in position relative to the connecting structure, the retaining portion extending substantially parallel to the base portion and being spaced above the lower surface of the base portion, the retaining portion having a downwardly facing surface that engages an exterior portion of the humidifier as the humidifier is horizontally loaded into the receptacle, the retaining portion being positioned to constrain the humidifier such that, during assembly, the heat conducting metallic plate of the base of the humidifier slides against the upwardly biased heating element, wherein the inlet provided at the rear wall of the humidifier is positioned to receive the pressurized breathable gas once the humidifier is fully loaded into the receptacle; and

a securing mechanism that releasably locks the humidifier in the horizontal receptacle, wherein, when the connecting structure is locked to the CPAP apparatus and the humidifier is locked on the connecting structure, the humidifier is configured to prevent or discourage liquid from the body of liquid from exiting through the inlet of the humidifier into the outlet of the CPAP apparatus, if as a unit the humidifier, the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are rotated from an upright working orientation to each of a plurality of non-upright orientations.

137. The humidifier assembly according to claim 136, wherein the connecting structure includes an upstanding wall portion that extends in a substantially vertical orientation, the rear wall of the humidifier abutting or located proximate the upstanding wall portion when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the upstanding wall portion including an opening that aligns with the inlet of the humidifier when the humidifier is fully inserted relative to the connecting structure, the opening being configured to allow communication of the pressurized breathable gas from the outlet of the CPAP apparatus to the inlet of the humidifier.

138. The humidifier assembly according to claim 136, wherein the connecting structure receives and secures the humidifier when the connecting structure and the humidifier are moved horizontally relative to each other and is configured to engage the CPAP apparatus when the connecting structure and the CPAP apparatus are moved horizontally relative to each.

139. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein a side of the connecting structure comprises at least one electrical connecting member configured to engage a corresponding electrical member of the CPAP apparatus for power supply and control of the heating element.

140. The humidifier assembly of claim 139, wherein the electrical connecting member is positioned on a lower portion of the side.

141. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein the humidifier body includes a rear portion having an external recess.

142. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein the exterior portion of the humidifier includes a recess positioned along a rearward side of the humidifier to receive the retaining portion when the humidifier is horizontally moved and fully inserted within the connecting structure.

143. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein the securing mechanism includes at least one movable locking lug that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the securing mechanism further including a biased member that supports the at least one movable locking lug, the biased member being manually operable to move the lug from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby allowing the humidifier to be horizontally withdrawn from the connecting structure.

144. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein the humidifier includes a gas introduction chamber and a humidification chamber, the gas introduction chamber being positioned to receive the pressurized breathable gas from the inlet of the humidifier, the gas introduction chamber being oriented to direct the pressurized breathable gas in a substantially horizontal direction when the humidifier is in the upright working orientation, the humidifier further including a substantially vertically extending passage oriented to direct the pressurized breathable gas from the gas introduction chamber in a downward direction towards liquid contained in the humidification chamber.

145. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein the plurality of non-upright positions includes up-ended position in which the rear wall of the humidifier is vertically below a front side wall of the humidifier, whereby even if the liquid level within the humidifier is higher than the inlet of the humidifier, liquid is discouraged or prevented from exiting through the inlet.

146. The humidifier assembly of claim 145, wherein the plurality of positions includes two side-lying positions where the rear wall is horizontally spaced from the front side wall of the humidifier, whereby, in said side-lying positions, liquid is discouraged or prevented from exiting through the inlet.

147. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein the connecting structure includes an upstanding wall including an aperture to receive pressurized breathable gas from the CPAP apparatus.

148. The humidifier assembly according to claim 136, further comprising clips to detachably connect the base and the top cover.

149. The humidifier assembly according to claim 136, wherein at least a portion of the humidifier remains exposed when the humidifier is received within the receptacle.

150. The humidifier assembly according to claim 136, wherein rear wall extends in a substantially vertical direction when the humidifier is in the upright working orientation.

151. The humidifier assembly of claim 136, wherein the humidifier includes a gas introduction chamber and a humidification chamber, the gas introduction chamber being positioned to receive the pressurized breathable gas from the inlet of the humidifier, the gas introduction chamber being oriented to direct the pressurized breathable gas in a substantially horizontal direction when the humidifier is in the upright working orientation, the humidifier further including a vertical passage communicating the gas introduction chamber with the humidification chamber, and

wherein the plurality of non-upright positions includes a position in which the inlet faces downward and the passage is positioned at a level higher than the inlet, whereby liquid is discouraged or prevented from moving from the humidification chamber and exiting through the inlet.

152. The humidifier assembly of claim 151, wherein the plurality of positions includes two opposite side-lying positions where the humidifier is rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise manners about a longitudinal axis if the inlet, whereby, in said side-lying positions, liquid is discouraged or prevented from exiting from the humidification chamber through the inlet.

153. A CPAP system including the humidifier assembly according to claim 136.

154. The CPAP system of claim 153, wherein the CPAP apparatus includes a controller to control the heating element of the connecting structure, as well as at least one electrical connecting member to allow power supply from the CPAP apparatus to the connecting structure.