Humidifier and/or flow generator for cpap

Abstract

A CPAP device includes a humidifier including humidifier tub having a heat conducting base plate; and a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position. The cradle may also support a flow generator in operative relation to the humidifier tub. The cradle includes a heater plate in communication with the heat conducting base plate of the humidifier tub in use. The cradle further includes a retaining mechanism to retain the humidifier tub in the cradle, the retaining mechanism being structured to force the base plate into engagement with the heater plate. The humidifier and / or flow generator may include various features to manage inadvertent back-spill of water from the humidifier to the flow generator.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION [0001] This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT / AU2006 / 001170, which designated the U.S. and claims the benefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 707,948, filed 15 Aug. 2005, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a removable humidifier and / or flow generator for a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device used to treat sleep disordered breathing (SDB) conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Domestic treatment of OSA and other SDB is usually done using a device that provides CPAP, e.g., nasal CPAP. A common configuration of a treatment system comprises a CPAP device and a patient interface, e.g., a nasal mask. The nasal mask forms a sealing interface with the patient's nasal passages in use so that the supply of air at positive pressure from the CPAP d...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to a seal between the humidifier inlet and flow generator outlet, a method and apparatus for retaining a humidifier tub, a method and apparatus for providing good thermal contact between the humidifier tub and a heating element, a method for managing the inadvertent introduction of water into the flow generator, a CPAP device or humidifier including a humidifier tub including a heat conducting base plate and a cradle to support the humidifier tub in an operative position, and a method for retaining a humidifier tub to a cradle. The invention also relates to a flow generator including a muffler chamber having an inlet coupled to the motor outlet and a muffler chamber outlet in communication with a flow generator outlet, and a method for integrating an upper part conduit portion and a lower storage portion in the muffler chamber.

Problems solved by technology

This can lead to drying of the patient's airway and patient discomfort.

In making a humidification tub removable, there are two problems that need to be overcome.

Firstly, there is a need for an air seal between the air outlet of the flow generator and the air inlet of the humidifier tub.

However, such spring loaded heater plates can provide a friction force against insertion of the humidifier tub, which may make installation of the humidifier tub difficult for some users, especially older or frail users.

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