Respiratory gas therapy

Abstract

A gases humidifier comprising: a gases inlet and an outlet, a removable humidification chamber cartridge with a heater source adapted to vaporize fluid; and a metering arrangement adapted to connect to and transfer fluid from a fluid supply to the humidification chamber.

1 .- 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A gases humidifier comprising:
 a humidification chamber adapted to vaporize fluid, the humidification chamber comprising a heater adapted to heat the fluid;   a metering arrangement adapted to transfer fluid from a fluid supply to the humidification chamber, wherein at least a part of the metering arrangement lies within the gases humidifier; and   a thermally conductive element positioned over the heater, wherein an outlet of the metering arrangement is positioned directly over the thermally conductive element, and wherein the heater is configured to generate heat which in turn is transmitted through the thermally conductive element to heat fluid present on the thermally conductive element, where the transmitted heat is sufficient to cause evaporation of the fluid.   
     
     
         44 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein the thermally conductive element is positioned on only one side of the heater. 
     
     
         45 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein the thermally conductive element is removable from a cavity of the humidification chamber. 
     
     
         46 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein the thermally conductive element is permanently positioned within a cavity of the humidification chamber. 
     
     
         47 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein the thermally conductive element comprises a bowl shape. 
     
     
         48 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein the thermally conductive element comprises features that promote the spread of fluid over a surface of the thermally conductive element. 
     
     
         49 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein the heater comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         50 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein the metering arrangement comprises a pump. 
     
     
         51 . The gases humidifier of  claim 43 , wherein at least a part of the metering arrangement lies within the humidification chamber. 
     
     
         52 . A gases humidifier comprising:
 a humidification chamber adapted to vaporize fluid, the humidification chamber comprising a heater adapted to heat the fluid;   a metering arrangement adapted to transfer fluid from a fluid supply to the humidification chamber, wherein at least a part of the metering arrangement lies within the gases humidifier; and   a thermally conductive element positioned over the heater, wherein an outlet of the metering arrangement is positioned directly over the thermally conductive element, where the thermally conductive element forms a fluid barrier between fluid and the heater.   
     
     
         53 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the thermally conductive element is positioned in contact with the heater. 
     
     
         54 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the humidification chamber comprises a structure adapted to force or urge the thermally conductive element towards the heater to maximize heating efficiency. 
     
     
         55 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the thermally conductive element is positionable relative to the heater. 
     
     
         56 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the thermally conductive element is permanently fixed relative to the heater. 
     
     
         57 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the thermally conductive element comprises a flat surface. 
     
     
         58 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the thermally conductive element is configured to spread fluid over a surface of the thermally conductive element. 
     
     
         59 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the heater comprises a resistive heater. 
     
     
         60 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the metering arrangement comprises a micropump. 
     
     
         61 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein only an outlet of the metering arrangement lies within the humidification chamber. 
     
     
         62 . The gases humidifier of  claim 52 , wherein the metering arrangement creates a thin layer of fluid over some or all of the thermally conductive element.