Patent ID: 6895803
Filing Date: 2005-05-24
Classification: A61M,G01N

Abstract:
1. A system for automatically disinfecting an absolute humidity sensing apparatus for sensing the absolute humidity of respiratory gas comprising: a humidity transducer providing a first signal, said first signal indicative of the relative humidity of said gas, a heater associated with or in substantial thermal contact with said humidity transducer and adapted to heat at least a portion of said humidity transducer depending on energisation power supplied thereto, a temperature sensor associated with or in substantial thermal contact with said humidity transducer and providing a second signal, said second signal indicative of the temperature of said humidity transducer, and a controller or processor configured to operate in at least two modes, a first absolute humidity measurement mode configured to provide a first energisation power to said heater to heat said humidity transducer to an operating temperature and receives said first signal and said second signal and calculates an estimate of the absolute humidity of said gas based thereon, and a second disinfection mode configured to provide a second energisation power to said heater to heat said humidity transducer to a predetermined disinfection temperature, said disinfection temperature being higher than said operating temperature and adequate to substantially kill the majority of any common pathogens present on said humidity transducer.