Patent ID: 8342177

Claim:
An apparatus for providing humidification in a breathing assistance system, the apparatus comprising: a first container at least partially defining a first volume for housing an absorbent material; a second container at least partially defining a second volume for holding a liquid; one or more fluid passageways for communicating the liquid from the second volume to the absorbent material in the first volume; and a conduit communicatively coupling the first volume with the second volume and distinct from the one or more fluid passageways for communicating the liquid from the second volume to the absorbent material in the first volume, the conduit configured such that: when a first end of the conduit is not sealed by liquid in the first volume, the conduit is operable to communicate gas from the first volume to the second volume to facilitate communication of the liquid from the second volume to the first volume via the one or more fluid passageways; and when the first end of the conduit is sealed by liquid in the first volume, the conduit is not operable to communicate gas from the first volume to the second volume to facilitate communication of the liquid from the second volume to the first volume via the one or more fluid passageways.