Patent ID: 8240306

Claim:
A base unit for use in a breathing gas heating and humidification apparatus comprising: a gas source configured to generate an initial gas flow, the gas source having a gas source outlet; a flow divider in fluid communication with the gas source outlet, the flow divider having a barrier that divides the initial gas flow into a first flow of gas and a second flow of gas, the flow divider comprising a first compartment including a first gas flow path for the first flow of gas and a second compartment including a second gas flow path for the second flow of gas; a heater disposed in the second compartment to heat the second flow of gas; a first outlet from the flow divider for the first flow of gas; and a second outlet from the flow divider for the heated second flow of gas, the heated second flow of gas and the second outlet separated from the first flow of gas at the first outlet, wherein the first gas flow path is configured to be coupled to a humidifier for humidification of the first flow of gas, and wherein the second flow of gas is configured to insulate the first flow of gas.