Abstract:
A flow of gases in a respiratory therapy system can be conditioned to achieve more consistent output from sensors configured to sense a characteristic of the flow. The flow can be mixed by imparting a tangential, rotary, helical, or swirling motion to the flow of gases. The mixing can occur upstream of the sensors. The flow can be segregated into smaller compartments to reduce turbulence in a region of the sensors.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure generally relates to a respiratory therapy system. More particularly, certain features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure relate to a flow mixing or flow redistributing apparatus for use with a respiratory therapy system. 
         [0004]    Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    A respiratory therapy system may be used to provide respiratory gases to a patient. The respiratory therapy system may comprise a gases source, an interface that may be used to deliver gases to an airway of a patient, and a conduit extending between the gases source and the interface. The respiratory therapy system may also include a humidification apparatus to humidify and/or heat gases prior to delivery. Gases delivered to a patient at 100% relative humidity and 37° C. generally mimic properties of air resulting from the transformation that occurs as air passes through airways from the nose to the lungs. This can promote efficient gases exchange and ventilation in the lungs, aid defense mechanisms in the airways, and increase patient comfort during treatment. The humidification apparatus can include a water reservoir and a heating element for heating the water in the reservoir. As the water heats, vapor is formed that can humidify the gases flowing through the humidification apparatus. A humidification apparatus can also be utilized for other medical applications where heating and humidification of gases may be useful, including the insufflation gases used in laparoscopic surgery, for example but without limitation. 
         [0006]    It can be useful to determine various characteristics of gases flowing through the respiratory therapy system, including flow rate and temperature. In some cases, numerical values associated with these characteristics can be used as inputs to, for example, a closed loop (for example, proportional-integral-derivative or PID) or open loop control system, which in turn can be used to guide operation of a mechanical blower or a humidification apparatus. However, achieving fine control with such control systems depends on the accuracy of the sensors used to determine such gases characteristics, as well as on the uniformity of the flow of gases. In some cases, the accuracy or precision of a sensor used to determine a characteristic of gases flowing through a gases passageway can be less than desirable if the characteristic occurs in a radially asymmetric pattern across a cross-section or profile of the gases passageway. For example, if gases flow through a gases passageway that comprises a bend, the velocity of the gases in the gases passageway can be radially asymmetric in a cross-section of the gases passageway at or near the bend or downstream of the bend, This variability of a given gases characteristic can undesirably affect the sensor accuracy, particularly if the number and severity of bends in the gases passageway in use will be unknown, as the magnitude of errors in output signals of the sensor used can be difficult to predict. Similarly, non-laminar flow (that is, turbulent flow) also can adversely impact the accuracy or precision of the reading from the sensor. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Certain features, aspects, and advantages of at least one of the embodiments disclosed herein include the realization that mixing gases flowing through a gases passageway upstream of a sensor configured to measure of a characteristic of the gases can improve the accuracy of the sensor by improving uniformity in the flow along a cross-section or profile of the gases passageway. “Mixing” as used herein may be understood to refer to redistributing or conditioning a flow of gases that has been asymmetrically split along a first cross-section of a gases passageway into, for example, high-velocity components and low-velocity components, such that the velocity of the flow of gases after mixing may be more symmetric along a second cross-section of the gases passageway downstream of the first cross-section (as shown and described in  FIG. 7  and elsewhere in this disclosure). The flow of gases may be mixed or made more homogenous to improve the accuracy of a sensor by positioning a static mixer or other mixing apparatus in the gases passageway upstream of the sensor, such that the mixer imparts a tangential, helical, swirling, or rotary motion to the flow of gases, 
         [0008]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flow mixer. The flow mixer comprises a static mixer. The flow mixer comprises a jacket adapted to be positioned in a gases passageway. At least one vane extends inwardly from the jacket. The at least one vane is configured to impart a tangential motion to gases flowing along the at least one vane. 
         [0009]    Each vane of the flow mixer can extend inwardly or converge upon an internal center of the jacket. Each vane of the flow mixer can extend inwardly to a position at or near a central location equidistant from a first section of the jacket where the vane originates and a second section of the jacket opposite the first section. Each vane can support an internal conduit located at or near the central location. The vanes can be positioned such that they extend inwardly from the jacket at positions that are radially equidistant with respect to the inner surface of the jacket. 
         [0010]    Each vane can extend axially along a length of the jacket. Each vane can extend axially along the entire length of the jacket. Each vane can extend spirally along a length of the jacket. Each vane can extend spirally along the entire length of the jacket. Each vane can extend axially and spirally along the length of the jacket. Each vane can extend along the length of the jacket at a constant pitch, Each vane can extend along the length of the jacket at a variable pitch. 
         [0011]    The jacket can be cylindrical. The outer surface of the jacket can be smooth. The at least one vane of the flow mixer can comprise a plurality of vanes. A plurality of vanes can consist of, for example, two, three, or four vanes. 
         [0012]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy system, The respiratory therapy system comprises a gases passageway adapted to transmit gases to a patient and a flow mixer positioned in the gases passageway. The flow mixer can, for example, comprise one of the flow mixer configurations described above or elsewhere in this specification. 
         [0013]    A sensor can be positioned in a section of the gases passageway downstream of the flow mixer. The sensor can comprise a temperature sensor and/or a flow sensor. A humidification apparatus can be located downstream of the flow mixer. A flow generator can be located upstream of the flow mixer. A patient interface can be located downstream of the flow mixer and/or downstream of the gases passageway. 
         [0014]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flow mixing apparatus for a respiratory therapy system. The flow mixing apparatus comprises a cap comprising a first end adapted to be placed over and/or into an inlet of a gases passageway, a second end having an aperture, and a side wall extending between the first and second ends. A gases compartment surrounds the side wall and second end of the cap. The gases compartment comprises a channel adapted to admit a flow of gases. The flow mixing apparatus is configured such that gases flowing through the channel are directed around the side wall and into the second end. 
         [0015]    The edges of the aperture can be beveled. The gases compartment and the cap can be integrally formed or be in the form of a single continuous part. The channel can be oriented with respect to the cap such that in use a flow of gases through the channel can be perpendicular to a flow of gases through the aperture. 
         [0016]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure relates to an alternative respiratory therapy system. The respiratory therapy system comprises a gases passageway adapted to transmit gases to a subject, the gases passageway comprising an inlet, and a flow mixing apparatus. The flow mixing apparatus comprises a cap comprising a first end adapted to be placed over and/or into the inlet of the gases passageway. The flow mixing apparatus can, for example, comprise one of the flow mixing apparatus configurations described above or elsewhere in this specification. 
         [0017]    A flow mixer can be positioned in the gases passageway downstream of the cap. The flow mixer can, for example, comprise one of the flow mixer configurations described above or elsewhere in this specification. 
         [0018]    At least one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a respiratory therapy apparatus comprising a gas flow path that comprises an gases inlet opening and a gases outlet opening. A flow conditioner is positioned along the gas flow path between the gases inlet opening and the gases outlet opening. The flow conditioner comprises at least one internal wall. The at least one internal wall divides the gases flow path into a first gases flow path and a second gases flow path at a location between the gases inlet opening and the gases outlet opening such that a plurality of compartments are defined within the gases flow path. 
         [0019]    The plurality of compartments can be configured to promote laminar flow through at least one of the plurality of compartments. At least one sensor can be configured to sense flow through one of the plurality of compartments with the sensor sensing flow through the at least one of the plurality of compartments that is configured to promote laminar flow. The sensor can be sensitive to changes in flow velocity. 
         [0020]    The gas flow passage can comprise a port of a humidifier. The gas flow passage can comprise an elbow-shaped port of the humidifier. The at least one internal wall can be non-linear. The at least one internal wall can comprise a pair of walls. The pair of walls can be concentric. Each of the pair of concentric walls can be adapted to guide flow passing from the gases inlet opening to the gases outlet opening. 
         [0021]    The flow conditioner can be removable from the gases flow path. The flow conditioner can comprise a retainment feature that interfaces with a complementary feature in a wall defining at least a portion of the gases flow path. The flow conditioner can be snap fit to the wall defining at least the portion of the gases flow path. 
         [0022]    The plurality of compartments can comprise four compartments. The flow conditioner can comprise four baffles that at least partially define four compartments. 
         [0023]    The gases flow path can form a portion of a humidification chamber. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]    Specific embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description herein having reference to the figures that follow. 
           [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of an example configuration for a respiratory therapy system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a humidification chamber. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a top-down view of the humidification chamber of  FIG. 2  and a flow mixing apparatus. 
           [0028]      FIG. 4A  shows the flow mixing apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 4B  shows the flow mixing apparatus of  FIG. 4A  connected to the humidification chamber of  FIG. 3 , 
           [0030]      FIG. 4C  shows a first example schematic of a gases flow path through the flow mixing apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 4D  shows a second example schematic of a gases flow path through the flow mixing apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0032]      FIGS. 5A-5G  show different embodiments of flow mixers, 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-section of a humidification chamber comprising a flow mixer, the flow mixer being similar to those described in  FIGS. 5A-5G . 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a diagram of a section of a gases passageway of a respiratory therapy device comprising a flow mixer similar to those described in  FIGS. 5A-5G  or  FIG. 6 . 
           [0035]      FIGS. 8A-8E  show various static mixing structures. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 9A-9G  show various views of an example embodiment of a flow conditioner configured to be disposed in an elbow-shaped outlet port of the humidification chamber. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  shows a section view of the humidification chamber having an elbow-shaped outlet port. 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  shows flow through the elbow-shaped outlet port without use of the flow conditioner of  FIGS. 9A-9G . 
           [0039]      FIGS. 12 and 13  show views of the elbow-shaped outlet port and a cleft configured to receive a flow conditioner retention feature. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 14A-14J  show various section views of the flow conditioner disposed in the elbow-shaped outlet port of the humidification chamber. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 15A-15D  show flow paths created by the flow conditioner. 
           [0042]      FIG. 16  shows an alternative embodiment of a flow conditioning elbow-shaped outlet port. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0043]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of an example configuration for a respiratory therapy system  100 , In the illustrated configuration, the respiratory therapy system  100  may comprise a flow generator  101 . The flow generator  101  may comprise a gases inlet  102  and a gases outlet  104 . The flow generator  101  may comprise a blower  106 . The blower  106  may comprise a motor. The motor may comprise a stator and a rotor. The rotor may comprise a shaft. An impeller may be linked to the shaft. In use, the impeller may rotate concurrently with the shaft to draw gases into the flow generator  101  through the gases inlet  102 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , gases can be drawn into the flow generator  101  from the surrounding atmosphere, also known as room or ambient air. The flow generator  101  may comprise a user interface  108  that comprises one or more buttons, knobs, dials, switches, levers, touch screens, speakers, displays, and/or other input or output modules that may enable a user to operate the flow generator  101  and/or other components or aspects of the respiratory therapy system  100 . The flow generator  101  may deliver gases through the gases outlet  104  to a first conduit  110 . The first conduit  110  may deliver the gases to a humidification apparatus  112  that may be used to heat and/or humidify the gases. 
         [0044]    The humidification apparatus  112  may comprise a humidifier inlet  116  and a humidifier outlet  118 . The humidification apparatus  112  can be configured to hold water or another humidifying liquid (hereinafter referred to as water). The humidification apparatus  112  may also comprise a heater that may be used to heat the water held in the humidification apparatus  112  to add vapor to, and/or to increase the temperature of, gases flowing through the humidification apparatus  112  from the humidifier inlet  116  to the humidifier outlet  118 . The heater may comprise, for example, a resistive metallic heating plate. The humidification apparatus  112  may comprise a user interface  120  that comprises one or more buttons, knobs, dials, switches, levers, touch screens, speakers, displays and/or other input or output modules that may enable a user to operate the humidification apparatus  112  and/or other components or aspects of the respiratory therapy system  100 . Other configurations of the humidification apparatus  112  are possible and are intended to be included in the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0045]    Gases may flow from the humidifier outlet  118  to a second conduit  122 . The second conduit  122  may comprise a conduit heater. The conduit heater may be used to add heat to gases flowing through the second conduit  122 , which may reduce or eliminate the likelihood of condensation of vapor held in humidified gases. The conduit heater may comprise one or more resistive wires located in, on, around, or near a wall of the second conduit  122  or in a gases flow path within the second conduit  122 . Gases may flow from the second conduit  122  to a patient interface  124  that can pneumatically link the respiratory therapy system  100  to an airway of a patient. The patient interface  124  may be a sealing or non-sealing interface and may comprise a nasal mask, an oral mask, an oronasal mask, a full face mask, a nasal pillows mask, a nasal cannula, an endotracheal tube, a combination of the above, or some other gas conveying system or apparatus. 
         [0046]    In the illustrated configuration, and as implied above, the respiratory therapy system  100  may operate as follows. Gases may be drawn into the flow generator  101  through the gases inlet  102  due to the rotation of an impeller of the motor of the blower  106 . The gases may be propelled out of the gases outlet  104  and along the first conduit  110 . The gases may enter the humidification apparatus  112  through the humidifier inlet  116 . Once in the humidification apparatus  112 , the gases may entrain moisture, or become more humidified, when flowing over or near water in the humidification apparatus  112 . The water may be heated by the heater of the humidification apparatus  112 , which may aid in the humidification and/or heating of the gases flowing through the humidification apparatus  112 . The gases may leave the humidification apparatus  112  through the humidifier outlet  118  to the second conduit  122 . Gases may flow from the second conduit  122  to the patient interface  124  and into an airway of a patient. To summarize, in use, gases may flow along a gases flow path extending from the gases inlet  102  of the flow generator  101  to the patient interface  124 . “Gases flow path” as used herein may refer to this entire gases flow path or a portion of such. 
         [0047]    The illustrated configuration is not be taken to be limiting. Many other configurations for the respiratory therapy system  100  are possible. In some configurations, the flow generator  101  may, for example, comprise a source or container of compressed gases (for example, air or oxygen). A container of compressed gases may comprise a valve that may be adjusted to control a flow of gases leaving the container. In some configurations, the flow generator  101  may use such a source of compressed gases and/or another gases source in lieu of the blower  106 . In some configurations, the blower  106  may be used in conjunction with another gases source. In some configurations, the blower  106  may comprise a motorized blower or may comprise a bellows or some other apparatus configured to generate a flow of gases. In some configurations, the flow generator  101  may draw in atmospheric gases through the gases inlet  102 . In some configurations, the flow generator  101  may be adapted both to draw in atmospheric gases through the gases inlet  102  and to take in other gases (for example, oxygen, nitric oxide, or carbon dioxide) through the same gases inlet  102  or a different gases inlet. In some configurations, the flow generator  101  and the humidification apparatus  112  may be integrated or may share a housing  126 . In some configurations, the flow generator  101  and the humidification apparatus  112  may be separate of each other and connected with a conduit, a duct or any other suitable manner of transmitting a gas flow from the flow generator  101  to the humidification apparatus  112  or from the humidification apparatus  112  to the flow generator  101 . 
         [0048]    In some configurations, the respiratory therapy system  100  may comprise a user interface located on the flow generator  101 , the humidification apparatus  112 , the first conduit  110 , the second conduit  122 , the patient interface  124 , or another component of the respiratory therapy system  100 . In some configurations, the operation of components or aspects of the respiratory therapy system  100  may be controlled wirelessly through a user interface located on a remote computing device such as a tablet, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, or another computing device. In some configurations, the operation of the flow generator  101 , the humidification apparatus  112 , or other components or aspects of the respiratory therapy system  100  may be controlled by a controller. The controller may comprise a microprocessor. The controller may be located in or on the flow generator  101 , the humidification apparatus  112 , or another component of the respiratory therapy system  100  or on a remote computing device. In some configurations, the operation of the flow generator  101 , the humidification apparatus  112 , or other components or aspects of the respiratory therapy system  100  may be controlled by multiple controllers. 
         [0049]    In some configurations, the respiratory therapy system  100  may comprise one or more sensors configured to detect various characteristics of gases in the respiratory therapy system  100 , including pressure, flow rate, temperature, absolute humidity, relative humidity, enthalpy, oxygen concentration, and/or carbon dioxide concentration; one or more sensors configured to detect various medical characteristics of the patient, including heart rate, EEG signal, EKG/ECG signal, blood oxygen concentration, blood CO 2  concentration, and/or blood glucose; and/or one or more sensors configured to detect various characteristics of gases or other substances outside the respiratory therapy system  100 , including ambient temperature and/or ambient humidity. One or more of the sensors may be used to aid in the control of components of the respiratory therapy system  100 , including the humidification apparatus  112 , through the use of a closed or open loop control system (for example, through the use of the controller mentioned above). 
         [0050]    In some configurations, there may be no user interface or a minimal user interface for components of the respiratory therapy system  100 . In some such configurations, the respiratory therapy system  100  may utilize a sensor to detect that a patient is attempting to use the respiratory therapy system  100  and to automatically operate (for example, the flow generator  101  may generate a gases flow, and/or the humidification apparatus  112  may humidify gases, as previously described) according to one or more predetermined control parameters. In some configurations, the respiratory therapy system  100  may comprise a single limb circuit that comprises an inspiratory gases passageway. In some configurations, the respiratory therapy system  100  may comprise a dual limb system that comprises inspiratory and expiratory gases passageways. 
         [0051]    The respiratory therapy system  100  may be used for other medical applications not involving providing gases to an airway of a patient. For example, the respiratory therapy system  100  could be used to provide insufflation gases for laparoscopic surgery. This application may be practiced by replacing the patient interface  124  with a surgical cannula that may be inserted into an abdominal cavity of a patient through an opening created, for example, using a trocar. Additionally, certain features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized for other applications involving the humidification of gases, including room humidifiers. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2  shows a humidification chamber  114  that may comprise a part of the humidification apparatus  112 . The humidification chamber  114  may comprise the humidifier inlet  116 , the humidifier outlet  118 , and a reservoir  128 . As implied in the above description, gases flowing through the humidification apparatus  112  may flow through the humidifier inlet  116  and into the reservoir  128  that may contain a liquid  130  such as water. Humidified gases may flow from the reservoir  128  through the humidifier outlet  118 . In the illustrated configuration, the humidifier inlet  116  extends in a linear manner while the humidifier outlet  118  extends in a nonlinear manner. The humidifier inlet  116  extends vertically. The humidifier outlet  118  extends vertically and then horizontally. 
         [0053]    The humidification chamber  114  may comprise a base plate  132  that at least partially defines the reservoir  128 . The base plate  132  may comprise a flange  133 . The flange  133  may help to secure the humidification chamber  114  to a housing (not shown) of the humidification apparatus  112  having a complementary recess adapted to accept the flange  131  A heater (not shown) of the humidification apparatus  112  may be positioned under the base plate  132  to heat the water  130  in the reservoir  128 , which may vaporize the water  130  to humidify the flow of gases, as well as increase the gases temperature. Other locations for a heater are possible, such as, for example, on or near the external or internal walls of the humidification chamber  114  or within the reservoir  128 . 
         [0054]    Sensors (not shown) may be positioned in apertures  134 A,  134 B,  134 C located along the gases flow path extending between the humidifier inlet  116  and the humidifier outlet  118 . The sensors may comprise, for example, flow sensors, temperature sensors, and/or humidity sensors that are configured to measure characteristics of gases flowing through the humidification chamber  114  before and/or after flowing through the reservoir  128 . In the illustrated configuration, the humidifier inlet  116  has two apertures  134 A,  134 B while the humidifier outlet  118  has one aperture  134 C. In some configurations, the humidifier inlet  116  has one aperture while the humidifier outlet  118  has two apertures. In some configurations, a sensor configured to be positioned in one of the apertures  134 A,  134 B,  134 C can be a thermistor adapted to sense the temperature of gases passing within the flow path into which the thermistor extends. In some configurations, a pair of sensors configured to be positioned in any two of the apertures  134 A,  134 B,  134 C can be a pair of thermistors where one or both of the thermistors is adapted to sense the temperature of gases passing within the flow path into which the thermistor(s) extend. In some configurations, a pair of sensors configured to be positioned in any two of the apertures  134 A,  134 B,  134 C can be a pair of thermistors where one of the pair of thermistors is adapted to act as a reference and the pair of thermistors is adapted to sense the flow rate of gases passing within the flow path into which the pair of thermistors extend. 
         [0055]      FIG. 3  shows a top-down view of an embodiment of the humidification chamber  114  similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  This embodiment of the humidification chamber  114  may similarly comprise the humidifier inlet  116  and the humidifier outlet  118 . The humidification chamber  114  may also comprise a conduit connector  115  adapted to connect the first conduit  110  to the humidifier inlet  116 . The conduit connector  115  may be configured to swivel, pivot, or otherwise move to allow the first conduit  110  to be oriented in a plurality of positions with respect to the humidification chamber  114 . For example, as illustrated by the dotted lines representing the first conduit  110  in  FIG. 3 , the conduit connector  115  may be permitted to swivel around the humidifier inlet  116  to accommodate the position or orientation of the first conduit  110  with respect to the humidification chamber  114 . However, although it is advantageous to allow flexibility in the position of the first conduit  110 , as previously described, a bend in the first conduit  110  can adversely affect the accuracy of a sensor positioned downstream of the first conduit  110  by changing the velocity of the flow along a given cross-section or profile of the gases passageway of the first conduit  110 . A bend, for example, may encompass a deviation in the angle of a conduit from greater than 0° to 180°, or from 30° to 150°, or from 60° to 120°. It may be advantageous to mix gases flowing through or from the first conduit  110  to counteract sensor inaccuracies caused by a bend in the first conduit  110 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrates a configuration for the conduit connector  115  that may improve flow mixing. The conduit connector  115  may be configured to induce a tangential or swirling motion to the flow—in other words, it may act as a flow mixer. As illustrated, the conduit connector  115  may comprise a connector inlet  140  adapted to receive gases from, for example, the first conduit  110 . The connector inlet  140  may direct the received gases through a channel  141  leading to a gases compartment  146  that comprises a base  142 . A cap  144  may be positioned within the gases compartment  146 . A cavity may be present between the cap  144  and the gases compartment  146  to allow for the flow of gases through the conduit connector  115 . The cap  144  may comprise an open end  149  configured to be placed over the inlet of a gases passageway, for example the humidifier inlet  116 . In some configurations, the cap  144  may be configured to be placed into the humidifier inlet  116  instead of or in addition to being placed over the humidifier inlet  116 . The cap  144  may be integrally formed or be in the form of a single continuous piece with the base  142 . The cap  144  may comprise a sidewall  145  and a top  147 . The top  147  may comprise apertures  148 . The edges of the apertures  148  may be beveled or angled so as to direct gases flowing through the apertures axially and/or tangentially through the top  147 . In some configurations, the beveled edges or other sections of the top  147  may comprise vanes that protrude down into the cap  144 , the vanes extending axially and/or spirally to promote further gases mixing. In some configurations, the apertures  148  may comprise one aperture, a pair of apertures, or more than two apertures. In some configurations, the top  147  may not be present and the cap  144  may simply comprise two open ends. 
         [0057]    In use, gases flowing through the channel  141  may be forced to flow along the sidewall  145  of the cap  144 . Some gases may be forced to flow around or circumscribe the cap  144  and some gases may be forced to flow up the sidewall  145  to enter the apertures  148  and ultimately flow through the open end  149 . The tangential velocity component of the gases may increase as a result of the motion of the flow of gases around the sidewall  145 , which may improve the mixing of the gases. Additionally, gases circumscribing or flowing around the cap  144  may collide with gases flowing up the sidewall  145  and proceeding to the open end  149 , which may increase gases mixing as a result of increased turbulence. In some configurations, and as seen in  FIG. 4A, 4B , and most clearly in  FIG. 4C , the channel  141  may be positioned such that gases flowing through the channel  141  strike the sidewall  145  of the cap  144  roughly head-on and are diverted clockwise or counterclockwise around the sidewall  145  with roughly equal biases. However, in some configurations, and as shown in  FIG. 4D , the channel  141  may be positioned such that it is offset with respect to the cap  144 . Gases flowing through the channel  141  may then be biased towards a side of the sidewall  145 , which may further promote tangential motion of the gases. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 5A-5G  depict various configurations of flow mixers that embody other methods for mixing a gases flow by imparting a tangential, rotational, spiraling, swirling, or other motion to the gases flow that may be inserted or positioned in a gases passageway. The gases passageway may comprise, for example, the humidifier inlet  116  or the humidifier outlet  118 . The flow mixer may comprise a static mixer. A “static mixer” may be understood as referring to a structure having no moving parts that promotes the mixing of gases or other fluids by utilizing the energy of the gases rather than utilizing energy from another source, such as an electrical power supply. 
         [0059]      FIGS. 5A-5B  show perspective and top-down views, respectively, of a flow mixer  150 . The flow mixer  150  may be configured to impart a tangential, rotational, swirling, or spiral velocity vector to the gases flowing through the flow mixer  150 . The flow mixer  150  may comprise a jacket  151 . The profile or shape of the jacket  151  may match the profile or shape of the gases passageway in which the flow mixer  150  is placed. For example, the jacket  151  may be cylindrical. The jacket  151  may be smooth to facilitate insertion into and/or removal from the gases passageway. A pair of vanes  152  may extend inwardly from the jacket  151  towards a center of the flow mixer  150 . In other words, each of the vanes  152  may extend inwardly from the jacket  151  to a location at or near a central location equidistant from a first section of the jacket  151  where the vane  152  originates and a second section of the jacket  151  opposite the first section. The vanes  152  may support an internal conduit  154  that may be centrally located in the flow mixer  150  and that may extend axially along the length of the flow mixer  150 . In some embodiments, the internal conduit  154  may provide a passageway through which water may flow, for example, into a reservoir of a humidification apparatus. The internal conduit  154  may be sized or configured so as to accept a spike connected to a water source. In some embodiments, the internal conduit  154  may be sized or configured so as to accept a float retention apparatus that may extend through a gases passageway in which the flow mixer  150  is placed, such as the humidifier inlet  116 . 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B , the vanes  152  may extend axially and spirally along the length of the flow mixer  150  (and the jacket  151 ). As gases flow along the vanes  152 , the gases may be guided in such a way that a part of the axial and/or radial components of the flow velocity vector may be modified to increase the tangential component of the flow velocity vector. The vanes  152  may each be angled such that they spirally traverse at least a portion or, in some embodiments, all of the length of the flow mixer  150  without intercepting each other (that is, the vanes  152  do not intersect in some embodiments). The angles of the vanes  152  may be such that the starting position of a given one of the vanes  152  is circumferentially offset by 180° from the ending position of the vane  152 . The vanes  152  may have a constant pitch along the length of the vanes  152 . In other words, each of the vanes  152  may extend spirally along the length of the jacket  151  such that the angle between any two points along the edge of the vane  152  is constant. The flow mixer  150  may be sized such that it can be easily inserted into a gases passageway. For example, the width of the flow mixer  150  (as shown by the double-ended arrow annotated ‘W’ in  FIG. 5A ) may be 10 mm to 30 mm, or 15 mm to 25 mm, or 20 mm. Similarly, the length of the flow mixer  150  (as shown by the double-ended arrow annotated ‘L’ in  FIG. 5A ) may be 10 mm to 30 mm, or 15 mm to 25 mm, or 20 mm. The angle of each of the vanes  152  may be, for example, 42° to 70°, or 46° to 66°, or 50° to 62°, or 54° to 58°, or 56°. 
         [0061]    Other configurations for the flow mixer  150  are contemplated. For example, although  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate that the pitch of the vanes  152  may be constant (more clearly shown in  FIG. 5C  through the use of the character θ), as illustrated in  FIG. 5D  the pitch of the vanes  152  may be variable across any portion of the length of the jacket  151 . Additionally, although  FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate that the flow mixer  150  may comprise two vanes  152 , in some configurations, a single vane  152  may be used, or more than two vanes  152  could be used. For example,  FIG. 5E  shows an embodiment of the flow mixer  150  comprising four vanes  152 . Although  FIGS. 5B and 5E , for example, show that the flow mixer  150  may comprise the internal conduit  154 , in some configurations the internal conduit  154  may not be present, and the radial ends of the vanes  152  may touch at or near the center of the flow mixer  150 . Although  FIGS. 5B and 5E , for example, show that the vanes  152  may extend inwardly from the jacket  151  evenly (for example, that the vanes  152  may be positioned such that they extend inwardly from the jacket  151  at positions that are radially equidistant with respect to the inner surface of the jacket  151 ), in some configurations the vanes  152  may be staggered. Although  FIG. 5A , for example, shows that the vanes  152  may extend along the entire length of the jacket  151 , in some configurations the vanes  152  may extend only partially along the length of the jacket  151 , and may begin or end at locations other than the axial ends of the jacket  151 . 
         [0062]    The vanes  152  may be different or have different characteristics from each other. For example, some of the vanes  152  may extend spirally across the entire length of the jacket  151  and some of the vanes  152  may only extend partially across the length of the jacket  151 . In some configurations, and as illustrated in  FIG. 5G , the internal conduit  154  may not be present. Although in some configurations the flow mixer  150  comprises the jacket  151 , in some configurations, and as illustrated in  FIG. 5F , the flow mixer  150  may not comprise a jacket. In some such configurations, if the flow mixer  150  does not comprise a jacket, the vanes  152  may fit in a gases passageway (for example, the humidifier inlet  116  or the humidifier outlet  118 ). In some configurations, the vanes  152  can be secured through a frictional fit and/or the ends of the vanes  152  may fit into corresponding recesses or catches on the inner surface of, for example, the humidifier inlet  116 , or be secured or fixed using other retaining elements. The ends of the vanes  152  may, for example, be beveled such that they can slide into such recesses when the flow mixer  150  is pushed into the humidifier inlet  116  or the humidifier outlet  118 . 
         [0063]    In some configurations, the flow mixer  150  can be integrally moulded with a gases conduit (for example, the humidifier inlet  116  or the humidifier outlet  118 ), or the flow mixer  150  (which may or may not include the jacket  151 ) and the gases conduit can together otherwise be in the form of a single part or piece. Many other configurations are possible. Preferably, the flow mixer  150  may be configured to impart a tangential, rotational, swirling, or spiraling motion to a gases flow through the flow mixer  150  sufficient to reduce the error of sensors positioned downstream of the flow mixer  150  in a gases passageway while minimizing pressure loss of the gases flow. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate a possible use of the flow mixer  150 .  FIG. 6  shows that the flow mixer  150  may be located in the humidifier inlet  116  of the humidifier  112  illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 7  shows a diagram of a gases passageway including the humidifier inlet  116  of  FIG. 6  wherein the first conduit  110  is connected to the humidifier inlet  116  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In some configurations, the conduit connector  115  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) may be positioned in-line between the first conduit  110  and the humidifier inlet  116  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The arrows of  FIG. 7  may demonstrate the velocity of a flow of gases passing through the gases passageway in use, where the size and/or length of the arrows relates to the magnitude of the velocity of the flow of gases. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the velocity of a flow of gases along the bend in the first conduit  110  (or the conduit connector  115 , for example) may become asymmetric along a given profile of the gases passageway. 
         [0065]    When gases flow along the vanes  152  of the flow mixer  150  inserted in the humidifier inlet  116 , the tangential motion imparted to the flow of gases may facilitate gases mixing such that the velocity of the flow of gases along the profile becomes more symmetric. This may improve the accuracy of a sensor  160  positioned in the gases passageway downstream of the flow mixer  150 . The sensor  160  may be positioned in, for example, one or more of the apertures  134 A,  134 B,  134 C as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, configurations of flow mixing apparatus such as the conduit connector  115  illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-4D  may be used together with configurations of flow mixers including those illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5G . The flow mixing apparatus  115  and the flow mixer  150  may work synergistically together. 
         [0066]    In some configurations, other static flow mixers may be used instead of or in combination with the aforementioned flow mixers and/or flow mixing apparatus, including those known as “cut and fold” and/or “twist and divide” mixers.  FIGS. 8A-8E  illustrate other static mixers that may advantageously be used to promote gases mixing. In each of  FIGS. 8A-8E , gases may be introduced along arrows and travel along the mixers  200 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  shown according to the black arrows as illustrated. 
         [0067]      FIGS. 9A-9G  illustrate various views of another example embodiment of a flow mixer or flow conditioner  300 . While the embodiments described above were described as being positioned upstream of a sensor, the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9G  is designed to be positioned such that the sensor is located between an inlet end and outlet end of the flow conditioner  300 . In other words, the sensor can be positioned such that the sensor is disposed along the flow conditioner  300 . In some configurations, however, the flow conditioner  300  of  FIGS. 9A-9G  can be positioned upstream, or at least a portion is positioned upstream, of at least one sensor. 
         [0068]    In some embodiments, the humidification chamber  114  includes an elbow-shaped or angled outlet port  119  extending between the reservoir  128  and the humidifier outlet  118 , for example as shown in  FIGS. 2-3, 4B, 6, and 10 . With reference to  FIG. 10 , the humidification chamber  114  can include an aperture  135 A proximate to the humidifier inlet  116 . The aperture  135 A is configured to receive a sensor. The sensor can be, for example, a thermistor adapted to sense the temperature of gases passing through the humidifier inlet  116 . The elbow-shaped outlet port  119  can include two apertures  135 B,  135 C. The apertures  135 B,  135 C can be configured to receive sensors. The sensors can be, for example, a pair of thermistors (where one of the pair of thermistors is configured to act as a reference) adapted to measure the flow rate of gases passing through the elbow-shaped outlet port  119 . The apertures  135 B,  135 C are positioned such that they can be viewed through the open outlet end of the outlet port  119 . 
         [0069]    As shown in the sectioned view of  FIG. 11 , at least some of the gases passing from the body of the humidification chamber  114 , into the outlet port  119 , and out of the humidifier outlet  118 , as indicated by a flow path  170  in  FIG. 11 , pass around an arcuate bend that partially defines a connection between the body of the chamber  114  and the outlet port  119 , indicated by an arrow  172 . When the gases pass around the bend, flow separation can occur, promoting the creation of a turbulent boundary layer  174  near the sensors received in apertures  135 B,  135 C. Turbulent flow at the boundary layer  174  has a varying velocity for a given average flow rate and can reduce the consistency of the sensor output at any given system flow rate. Turbulence in the gas flow can additionally increase flow resistance through the outlet port  119 , which in turn increases the pressure drop, which can inhibit the ability to deliver gases to a patient at a desired pressure. Flow mixers, such as those described herein, disposed in or near the humidifier inlet  116  can help mitigate turbulence and/or can help normalize the velocity of gases passing through the humidifier inlet  116 ; however, it is possible to further improve the system with respect to flow through the outlet port  119 . 
         [0070]    Instead of or in addition to a flow mixer placed in or near the humidifier inlet  116 , in some embodiments, a flow mixer or conditioner, such as the flow conditioner  300  shown and described herein, can be disposed in the elbow-shaped outlet port  119 , for example as shown in the various views of  FIGS. 14A-14J . The flow conditioner  300  is configured to help reduce or eliminate the turbulence of gas flow in the elbow-shaped outlet port  119 . More particularly, the flow conditioner  300  can help reduce or eliminate the turbulence of gas flow in a region that includes the sensors. In some configurations, the flow conditioner  300  divides the flow passing through the outlet port  119 . By dividing the flow passing through the outlet port  119 , the flow conditioner  300  improves sensor output performance particularly when the sensor has output that is sensitive to changes in flow velocity. Thus, the flow conditioner  300  provides for improved probe precision (in other words, reduces output variability by reducing flow turbulence around the region of the probes) while also reducing or minimizing the impact of the flow conditioner  300  on pressure drop and/or flow restriction. 
         [0071]    As shown in  FIGS. 9A-9E , the flow conditioner  300  includes multiple baffles. In the illustrated configuration, the flow conditioner  300  includes four baffles  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  that create four compartments  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326 . The baffles  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  can be configured such that a cross-section of the flow conditioner  300  has a cross or X shape. Other configurations also are possible. For example, but without limitation, in some configurations, one or more of the baffles  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  can be omitted. In some configurations, the baffle  312  can be omitted. In some configurations, the baffle  310  can be omitted. 
         [0072]    In some embodiments, two or more of the baffles  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  can be integrally formed or molded with each other. In some embodiments, two or more of the baffles  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316  are formed separately and attached to one another. The flow conditioner  300  can be permanently or removably disposed in the outlet port  119  and can be coupled to the outlet port  119  via an adhesive, a friction fit, or any other suitable means. In some embodiments, the flow conditioner  300  is integrally formed with the chamber  114 . 
         [0073]    With reference to  FIGS. 9F, 9G, 12 and 13 , the flow conditioner  300  can include an outlet port retention feature  330  configured to help retain the flow conditioner  300  in the appropriate position within the outlet port  119 . A snap-fit can be used to secure the conditioner  300  within the outlet port  119 . The outlet port retention feature  330  includes a portion with a ridge or rib or the like that is adjacent to a void, gap, or opening such that the portion with the ridge or rib or the like can deflect in an elastic member to provide a snap fit. The outlet port retention feature  330  of the embodiment of the flow conditioner  300  shown in  FIGS. 9F and 9G  has a different configuration from the outlet port retention feature  330  of the embodiment of the flow conditioner  300  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9E . In  FIGS. 9A-9E , the outlet port retention feature  330  has a void, gap or opening that is captured within the material of the flow conditioner  300 , while the outlet port retention feature  330  of  FIGS. 9F and 9G  has a void, gap or opening that intersects with an edge of the flow conditioner  300 . 
         [0074]    The outlet port retention feature  330  of  FIGS. 9A-9G  is configured to engage a corresponding cleft  332  in the wall of the outlet port  119 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the cleft  332  is located proximate the apertures  135 B,  135 C. As shown in  FIG. 14D , the outlet port  119  can include retention slats  334  at or near a base of the outlet port  119  and/or a transition between the body of the humidification chamber  114  and the outlet port  119 . The slats  334  define a slot  336  configured to receive a base of the baffle  310  to orient the flow conditioner  300  during assembly and/or to help maintain the flow conditioner  300  in the appropriate position following assembly. Other configurations are possible. 
         [0075]    In the illustrated embodiment, the flow conditioner  300  also includes at least one aerofoil feature  340 . As shown in  FIG. 9D, 9F and 9G , for example, the aerofoil feature  340  is located on an edge of the baffle  312 . In the illustrated configuration, the aerofoil feature  340  is located opposite of, or positioned away from, the apertures  135 B,  135 C when the flow conditioner  300  is disposed in the outlet port  119 . The aerofoil feature  340  is separated from the apertures  135 B,  135 C by the baffles  314 ,  316 . The aerofoil feature  340  can be integrally formed with or coupled to the baffle  312 . 
         [0076]    As shown, the aerofoil feature  340  is curved and convex toward the baffles  314 ,  316 . As illustrated, the baffles  314 ,  316  have a straight lower portion and a curved upper portion. The illustrated baffles  314 ,  316  generally follow the shape or configuration of the elbow-shaped outlet port  119 . In some configurations, the baffles  314 ,  316  define curved portions that are concentric with each other. In some embodiments, a radius of curvature of the curved upper portion of each of the baffles  314 ,  316  is 12 mm as shown in  FIG. 9F . In some embodiments, the aerofoil feature  340  has an angled lower portion and a partially circular upper portion. The lower portion can be angled at 30° and the upper portion can have a radius of curvature of 5 mm, for example as shown in  FIG. 9F . In the illustrated configuration, and as best shown in  FIG. 9F and 9G , for example, the wall or walls defining the aerofoil feature  340  has at least a portion that defines a first arc while the wall or walls defining the baffles  314 ,  316  has at least a portion that defines a second arc. In some such configurations, the first arc and the second arc have the same center of curvature. The arcs have first ends that are coterminous with the flow conditioner  300  and second ends that connect to walls that define a tapering mouth. The first and second arcs can define a passage with a constant cross-section portion. 
         [0077]    The flow conditioner  300  can occupy the full length of the outlet port  119  or any portion of the length of the outlet port  119 . In the illustrated configuration, the flow conditioner  300  occupies only a portion of the full length of the outlet port  119 . The portion of the length of the outlet port  119  occupied by the flow conditioner can contain one or more sensors or at least one or more of the apertures  135 A,  135 B,  135 B that receive sensors. In some embodiments, a total height of the flow conditioner  300  is in the range of 43 mm to 44 mm. In some embodiments, a total width of the flow conditioner  300  is in the range of 26 mm to 27 mm. 
         [0078]    As gases flow into the outlet port  119 , the curvature of the aerofoil feature  340  allows the incoming flow to gently change in direction as it flows around a corner defined within the elbow. In the absence of the aerofoil feature  340 , the gases flowing around the corner defined within the elbow are forced to turn a sharp angle. By smoothing the corner, the aerofoil feature  340  allows the flow of gases to experience less pressure drop and less increase in resistance to flow. In addition, in use, the flow conditioner  300  separates the flow of gases through the outlet port  119  into multiple (four in the illustrated embodiment) smaller compartments or flow paths. 
         [0079]      FIGS. 15A-15D  illustrate flow paths F 1 , F 2 , F 3 , F 4  through compartments  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326 , respectively, formed by the flow conditioner  300 . The illustrated configuration features four compartments  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326 . The smaller compartments  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326  compared to the overall size of the outlet port  119  reduce the space available for boundary layer separation and/or collision of a given portion of a flow of gases with another portion of the flow of gases, thereby helping to reduce turbulence. The gradually curved shape of the baffles  314 ,  316  also helps ease the flow of gases through the outlet port  119  and discourage the formation of eddies, vortices, or turbulent areas. One or more of the compartments  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326  can be configured to promote substantially laminar flow through the compartment. In some configurations, the one or more of the compartments  320 ,  322 ,  324 ,  326  containing sensors can be configured to promote substantially laminar flow at least in the region near the sensors. For example, removing or reducing the number and/or severity or sharp angles in or directly adjacent to the compartment can promote substantially laminar flow. 
         [0080]    Variations of the flow conditioner  300  can include more or fewer baffles to create more or fewer compartments. Increasing the number of compartments and/or decreasing the cross-section of compartments proximal to the sensors reduces turbulence and increases sensor precision. However, increasing the number of compartments and/or decreasing the cross-section of the compartments can also increase flow restriction and pressure drop. The number of baffles and compartments should therefore be selected to balance turbulence reduction and minimization of pressure drop. In some embodiments, part or all of the baffle  312  can be eliminated to improve flow resistance. For example, the portion of the baffle  312  supporting the aerofoil feature  340 , described in greater detail herein, can be maintained, and the remainder of the baffle  312  can be removed. In some embodiments, turbulation features (for example, small pits, bumps, or the like) can be placed along the curved portions of the flow conditioner  300  and/or portions of the humidification chamber  114  proximate to the base of the outlet port  119  to help discourage the formation of turbulent flow layers and thereby improve sensor precision. 
         [0081]      FIG. 16  illustrates another embodiment of the elbow-shaped outlet port  119  that includes a compartment that is configured to contain one or more sensors  402 . In the illustrated configuration, the compartment can be defined by a barrier  404 , such as a wall or the like. The illustrated barrier  404  is configured to create a bleed flow adjacent the sensors  402 , In other words, the barrier  404  creates a discrete chamber  406  of conditioned gases flow that passes by the sensors  402  to thereby improve sensor reading accuracy. The chamber  406  can be configured to promote laminar flow in the vicinity of the sensors  402 . 
         [0082]    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. 
         [0083]    Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers or components are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. 
         [0084]    The disclosed methods, apparatus, and systems may also be said broadly to comprise the parts, elements, and features referred to or indicated in the disclosure, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements, or features. 
         [0085]    Recitation of ranges herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate sub-range or value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each such separate sub-range or value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. 
         [0086]    Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that said prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world. 
         [0087]    Although the present disclosure has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art also are within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For instance, various components may be repositioned as desired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be defined only by the claims that follow.