Connections for humidification system

Abstract

To provide a device and a method for providing a user with heated and / or humidified gas.SOLUTION: A humidification system can include a heater base 102, a humidification chamber 1104, and a breathing circuit. A cartridge 1300 can be removably coupled to the heater base. The cartridge can include various sensors, probes, sensor wire connectors, heater wire connectors, and / or other features. The cartridge can include features configured to mate with corresponding features on the humidification chamber and the heater base. A connector 1500 can be configured to couple an inspiratory conduit 120 to an outlet port of the humidification chamber. The connector can provide a pneumatic connection to the outlet port and an electrical connection to the cartridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 25

Claims

1. 1. A humidification chamber for a humidification system having a base unit, comprising: The exterior wall and a top wall connected to the outer wall, the outer wall and the top wall at least partially defining a volume for containing a liquid; an inlet configured to receive gas from a gas source into the humidification chamber; an outlet configured to connect to a circuit connector for directing heated and / or humidified gas from the humidification chamber to a patient or other person; Equipped with the outlet is configured to provide a releasable and lockable connection to the circuit connector and includes an orientator for controlling an orientation of the circuit connector relative to the outlet; A humidification chamber for a humidification system, wherein the orientator is configured to orient a first electrical terminal of a conduit connector at least partially relative to a second electrical terminal associated with the base unit of the humidification chamber.

2. 2. The humidification chamber of claim 1, wherein the orientator comprises a recess configured to slidably engage a protrusion on the circuit connector such that the circuit connector can only slide in a predetermined orientation over the outlet of the humidification chamber.

3. 3. The humidification chamber of claim 1 or 2, wherein the orientator comprises a protrusion configured to slidably engage a recess in the circuit connector such that the circuit connector can only slide in a predetermined orientation over the outlet of the humidification chamber.

4. 4. The humidification chamber of claim 3, wherein the orientator comprises an angled protrusion on the outlet that receives a recess or notch in the circuit connector to obtain and determine an orientation of the circuit connector relative to the outlet.

5. 5. A humidification chamber as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the protrusion has a generally diamond-shaped or asymmetric shape.

6. A humidification chamber as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the outlet of the humidification chamber comprises a first portion extending generally vertically from the humidification chamber and a second portion extending generally horizontally from the first portion, the second portion being downstream of the first portion in use.

7. A humidification chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a recess or protrusion configured to be engaged by a latch of the circuit connector, thereby providing the releasable and lockable connection of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber.

8. A humidification chamber according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a latch configured to engage a recess or protrusion in the circuit connector, thereby providing the releasable and lockable connection of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber.

9. A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein the outlet of the humidification chamber is configured to receive at least a portion of the circuit connector therein.

10. The humidification system includes the base unit, The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an orientator for controlling an orientation of the humidification chamber relative to the base unit.

11. A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein the humidification chamber releasably and lockably engages the base unit.

12. A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the outlet is angled away from the heater base when the humidification chamber is placed on a heater base.

13. A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, configured to couple to the base unit, at least in part via a coupling part of or associated with the base unit.

14. A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a downstream end of the outlet is oriented in a direction generally parallel to a direction of engagement of the humidification chamber with the base unit.

15. A humidification chamber as described in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the connection direction of the electrical connector of the circuit connector and / or the connection direction of the base unit are approximately parallel to at least the downstream direction of the outlet of the humidification chamber and / or the coupling direction of the humidification chamber with the base unit.

16. the humidification chamber is received in a receptacle of the base unit along a first axis; the outlet engages the circuit connector along the second axis; A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein the first axis and the second axis are parallel to each other.

17. 17. The humidification chamber of claim 16, wherein the second electrical terminal is connected to the first electrical terminal, and the first electrical terminal and the second electrical terminal act to form an electrical connection along a third axis, the third axis being parallel to the first axis and the second axis.

18. 18. A humidification chamber according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the base unit has a sensor probe extending therefrom or a cartridge coupled to the base unit, the cartridge having one or more sensor probes extending therefrom.

19. The humidification chamber of claim 18, wherein the humidification chamber is configured to have one or more sensor probes that are inserted into an opening of the humidification chamber with a simple motion along a fourth axis when the humidification chamber is received in a receptacle of the base unit along a first axis.

20. the inlet and the outlet of the humidification chamber each having at least one opening; the at least one sensor probe is inserted into the at least one opening of the inlet; 20. The humidification chamber of claim 19, wherein other sensor probes of the one or more sensor probes are configured to be inserted into at least one opening of the outlet.

21. The circuit connector is connected to the outlet. before the humidification chamber is coupled to the base unit; and After the humidification chamber is coupled to the base unit, A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, adapted to be coupled to the base unit without affecting the ability of the humidification chamber to be coupled to the base unit.

22. the circuit connector is operable to slide into and mate with the humidification chamber to form a sub-assembly; A humidification chamber as described in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein when the sub-combination is slidably coupled to the base unit, an electrical coupling occurs between the circuit connector and the base unit and / or between the circuit connector and a control module associated with the base unit.

23. having one or more guide portions; When the humidification chamber and / or the circuit connector are coupled to the base unit, the humidification chamber is configured to be oriented by the guide portion; A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, and / or wherein the circuit connector is oriented with respect to the base unit.

24. the base unit having a cartridge coupled to the base unit; the humidification chamber and the circuit connector are configured to be connectable to the cartridge; the cartridge having the second electrical terminal and at least one sensor received in the inlet or the outlet of the humidification chamber; 24. The humidification chamber of claim 23, wherein the inlet or the outlet of the humidification chamber is configured to receive at least one sensor along a direction that is the same as or parallel to a direction in which the second electrical terminal is coupled to the first electrical terminal.

25. When dividing the humidification chamber, the humidification chamber and the circuit connector, which are connected to each other, are removed from the base unit; A humidification chamber according to any preceding claim, wherein the circuit connector is disconnected and the humidification chamber is removed from the base unit.

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