The present invention provides a breathing assistance apparatus that has a convenient and effective method of cleaning internal conduits inside the apparatus. The breathing assistance apparatus is preferably a gases supply and humidification device. The cleaning method is a method of disinfection that is automated so minimal training is required to disinfect in particular an internal elbow conduit within the device. It is therefore not necessary to dismantle the gases supply and humidification device, therefore, inadvertent damage to the internal parts of the device is avoided. The present invention also provides a method of disinfecting a heated breathing conduit and a patient interface.

A patient interface is configured to deliver a flow of positive pressure respiratory gas to an entrance of a patients airways. The patient interface includes an elastomeric support wall forming at least part of a plenum chamber configured to receive the flow of positive pressure respiratory gas. The patient interface also includes an elastomeric support flange positioned at an end of the elastomeric support wall and extending radially inward from the support wall. The support flange has a flap portion at a central superior region of the support flange that extends further in the radially inward direction than the rest of the support flange. In addition, a foam cushion is mounted on the support flange. The foam cushion is configured to form a seal with the patients face and includes an attachment surface that is in contact with an outer surface of the support flange.

System for assisting a patient in speaking, comprising at least one ventilation apparatus and a patient interface, the ventilation apparatus comprising at least one controllable respiratory gas source and being designed to identify two or more respiratory phases, at least inspiration and expiration, of the patient, and the patient interface having at least one speaking tube and a respiratory tube and being configured to conduct speaking gas to the patient via the speaking tube and to conduct respiratory gas to and/or from the patient via the respiratory tube. The system is configured to provide speaking gas to the patient at least temporarily in a speaking mode in order to enable speaking.

A patient interface for supplying a flow of breathable gas to the airways of a patient may comprise a heat and moisture exchanger (HME). The HME may be positioned in a flow path of the flow of breathable gas. The HME may absorb heat and moisture from gas exhaled by the patient and the incoming flow of breathable gas to be supplied to the patient's airways may be heated and moisturized by the heat and moisture held in the HME.

A patient interface for supplying a flow of breathable gas to the airways of a patient may comprise a heat and moisture exchanger (HME). The HME may be positioned in a flow path of the flow of breathable gas. The HME may absorb heat and moisture from gas exhaled by the patient and the incoming flow of breathable gas to be supplied to the patient's airways may be heated and moisturized by the heat and moisture held in the HME.

A CPAP system for supplying humidified gases to a user is disclosed in which various interfaces are described for gas delivery. A mask cushion including a deformable cushion and thin sheath is described.

The present disclosure discloses a humidification device, a humidifier and a ventilator, overcoming the deficiency that when the structure of a water tank of a current ventilator causes the water tank to tilt or sway, it is easy for a large amount of water to enter a heating portion. The humidification device comprises a heating portion and a liquid inlet structure adding liquid to the heating portion. The heating portion comprises an accommodating chamber and a transition chamber limiting the amount of liquid in the accommodating chamber, and the liquid inlet structure is communicated with the transition chamber and allows the liquid to enter the transition chamber. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a large amount of stored water may be prevented from entering the heating portion and thus affecting the heating efficiency when a water tank or a similar humidification device tilts.

A humidifier for a respiratory apparatus for delivering a humidified flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a humidifier chamber configured to store a supply of water to humidify the flow of breathable gas. The humidifier chamber includes a first heating element configured to heat the supply of water. The humidifier also includes a relative humidity sensor to detect a relative humidity of ambient air and generate signals indicative of the ambient relative humidity; a first temperature sensor to detect a temperature of ambient air and generate signals indicative of the ambient temperature; and a controller configured to determine an absolute humidity of the ambient air from the signals generated by the relative humidity sensor and the first temperature sensor and to control the first heating element to provide a predetermined relative humidity to the flow of breathable gas. A method of humidifying a flow of breathable gas to be provided to a patient includes determining an absolute humidity of ambient air used to form the flow of breathable gas; and controlling a temperature of a supply of water that humidifies the flow of breathable gas to provide a predetermined absolute humidity corresponding to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined relative humidity of the flow to be delivered to the patient.

A humidifier for a respiratory apparatus for delivering a humidified flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a humidifier chamber configured to store a supply of water to humidify the flow of breathable gas. The humidifier chamber includes a first heating element configured to heat the supply of water. The humidifier also includes a relative humidity sensor to detect a relative humidity of ambient air and generate signals indicative of the ambient relative humidity; a first temperature sensor to detect a temperature of ambient air and generate signals indicative of the ambient temperature; and a controller configured to determine an absolute humidity of the ambient air from the signals generated by the relative humidity sensor and the first temperature sensor and to control the first heating element to provide a predetermined relative humidity to the flow of breathable gas. A method of humidifying a flow of breathable gas to be provided to a patient includes determining an absolute humidity of ambient air used to form the flow of breathable gas; and controlling a temperature of a supply of water that humidifies the flow of breathable gas to provide a predetermined absolute humidity corresponding to a predetermined temperature and a predetermined relative humidity of the flow to be delivered to the patient.

A respiratory assistance system can provide high flow therapy to patients. The respiratory assistance system can include a patient interface that can deliver a gas flow to a patient and a gas source that can drive the gas flow towards the patient interface at an operating flow rate. The system can include a controller for controlling the operating flow rate of the gas. The controller can apply multiple test flow rate values in a range as the operating flow rate. For each of the test flow rate values, the controller can measure a patient parameter. The controller can determine a new flow rate value based on the measured patient parameters. Patient parameters can include respiration rate, work of breathing, or any other parameters related to the respiratory circuit.