Breathing assistance apparatus with liquid containment

Abstract

A breathing assistance apparatus has a main body. A humidification compartment is defined within the main body and is adapted to receive a humidification chamber. A flow generator is positioned within the main body. The flow generator and the humidification compartment are fluidly connected and a liquid containment compartment is interposed between the flow generator and the humidification compartment. The liquid containment compartment is fluidly connected to both the flow generator and the humidification compartment.

1 .- 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A breathing assistance apparatus comprising:
 a main body, the main body comprising an upper housing and a lower housing that are configured to be secured together, the main body having at least one outer wall and at least one generally vertical inner wall, a humidification compartment defined within the main body and adapted to receive a humidification chamber;   a flow generator positioned within the main body; and   a liquid containment compartment being interposed within the main body between the flow generator and the humidification compartment and positioned between the at least one outer wall and the at least one generally vertical inner wall, wherein the liquid containment compartment is fluidly connected to the flow generator and the humidification compartment such that a gas flow path from the flow generator to the humidification compartment passes through the liquid containment compartment, and wherein the liquid containment compartment comprises a first opening that defines an outlet for gases flowing out of the liquid containment compartment to the humidification compartment and a second opening that defines an inlet for the gases flowing into the liquid containment compartment from the flow generator.   
     
     
         28 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the liquid containment compartment comprises a lower surface that is part of the lower housing of the main body. 
     
     
         29 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the liquid containment compartment comprises a vertical wall defining sides of the liquid containment compartment, the vertical wall of the liquid containment compartment being part of the upper housing of the main body. 
     
     
         30 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein a portion of the vertical wall of the liquid containment compartment corresponds to a portion of a vertical wall that defines the humidification compartment. 
     
     
         31 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 30  wherein the first opening extends through the portion of the vertical wall of the liquid containment compartment that corresponds to the vertical wall of the humidification compartment. 
     
     
         32 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein a portion of the vertical wall of the liquid containment compartment corresponds to a portion of an outer wall of the main body provided by the upper housing. 
     
     
         33 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 29  wherein the liquid containment compartment comprises a ridge that defines a periphery of a lower surface of the liquid containment compartment and which extends from the lower housing of the main body, the ridge matching a configuration of the vertical wall of the liquid containment compartment provided in the upper housing such that the ridge and the vertical wall of the liquid containment compartment abut each other to form the liquid containment compartment when the main body is assembled. 
     
     
         34 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein the ridge of the liquid containment compartment defines and encircles a reservoir of the liquid containment compartment. 
     
     
         35 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 33  wherein the ridge of the liquid containment compartment surrounds the second opening. 
     
     
         36 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 33  further comprising a seal between the ridge and the vertical wall of the liquid containment compartment to form the liquid containment compartment. 
     
     
         37 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 36  wherein the ridge comprises a groove and the seal is provided within the groove. 
     
     
         38 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the flow generator is mounted to or within the lower housing of the main body. 
     
     
         39 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the first opening and the second opening of the liquid containment compartment are offset from each other in at least two orthogonal spatial directions. 
     
     
         40 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 39  wherein the first opening and the second opening of the liquid containment compartment are offset horizontally and vertically. Application No.:  17 / 654 , 894  Filing Date: March  15 ,  2022   
     
     
         41 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 39  wherein the first opening and the second opening of the liquid containment compartment are offset from each other in three orthogonal spatial directions. 
     
     
         42 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 41  wherein the first opening and the second opening of the liquid containment compartment are offset horizontally in two orthogonal directions and vertically. 
     
     
         43 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 39  wherein no portion of the first opening is vertically aligned with the second opening. 
     
     
         44 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 39  wherein no portion of the first opening is horizontally aligned with the second opening. 
     
     
         45 . The breathing assistance apparatus according to  claim 27  wherein the second opening is fluidly connected to the flow generator by one or more passages within the main body, the one or more passages forming part of the gas flow path.