Patent ID: 7588029
Filing Date: 2009-09-15
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A humidification apparatus for use as part of a system for providing a humidified gases flow to a patient or other person in need of such gases comprising: a humidification chamber having an inlet and an outlet to allow said gases flow to pass through said humidification chamber, in use said humidification chamber partly filled with water, said inlet and said outlet above the surface of said water in use, a chamber heater provided adjacent said humidification chamber and adapted to heat and vaporise said water in said humidification chamber in order to provide water vapour to said gases flow passing through said humidification chamber, a gases transportation pathway connected to said outlet of said humidification chamber to convey said gases flow to said patient or other person in need of such gases, said gases transportation pathway comprising an open-ended thin-walled tube for transporting said humidified gases, said tube providing a self-supporting sealed path between each open end, said tube formed from positive temperature coefficient material, said positive temperature coefficient material formed so that it has a phase transformation temperature not exceeding 40° C., and also so that said pathway has a weight and flexibility suitable for the use of transporting gases from a medical humidifier to a patient, and at least one electrical conductor running the length of said tube and disposed in electrical contact with said positive temperature coefficient material, said tube corrugated along the length of said tube.