Patent ID: 8893715

Claim:
A breathing assistance apparatus adapted to deliver humidified gases at a desired level of humidity, flow and temperature for treatment of a patient comprising: a) gases supply means providing a flow of gases, b) a humidifier having a chamber adapted to receive a volume of water and a chamber heater to heat said water in said chamber, said chamber including an inlet and an outlet, c) transportation pathway means to convey said humidified gases from said humidifier to said patient, said pathway means comprising a pathway heater having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end being adjacent the humidifier, and d) a controller having stored instructions to complete the following steps following the end of said treatment of said patient: i) switch off power to said chamber heater, ii) set said flow of gases from said gases supply means to a predetermined flow for a predetermined time, wherein said pathway heater is adapted to deliver heat to said flow of gases during at least a portion of the predetermined time, and said power is switched off to said chamber heater for at least a portion of the predetermined time, and iii) after said predetermined time switch off said gases supply means.