CPC A61M 16/161 (2014.02) [A61M 16/0003 (2014.02); A61M 16/0006 (2014.02); A61M 16/009 (2013.01); A61M 16/0066 (2013.01); A61M 16/0069 (2014.02); A61M 16/024 (2017.08); A61M 16/0666 (2013.01); A61M 16/0875 (2013.01); A61M 16/109 (2014.02); A61M 16/1075 (2013.01); A61M 16/1095 (2014.02); A61M 16/16 (2013.01); A61M 16/0683 (2013.01); A61M 2016/003 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3303 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3368 (2013.01); A61M 2205/36 (2013.01); A61M 2205/50 (2013.01); A61M 2230/40 (2013.01)] | 24 Claims |
20. A breathing assistance apparatus for providing flow therapy, comprising:
a flow driver for providing a supply of gases at flows of 15 to 40 L/min during the flow therapy;
a humidification chamber and heater plate for humidifying the supply of gases supplied by the flow driver;
at least one of:
an inspiratory conduit connected at one end to the humidifier chamber, or
a nasal cannula for providing the humidified supply of gases to a patient, and
a controller configured to detect an end of a flow therapy session, and in response to said detection, automatically activate a drying mode for drying the inspiratory conduit or nasal cannula by activating a heater wire in the inspiratory conduit;
wherein the controller causes the drying mode to continue for a predetermined time,
wherein:
the controller is further configured to power down the heater plate during the drying mode to a predetermined level;
the humidification chamber is maintained on the heater plate and located between the flow driver and the inspiratory conduit and in fluid communication between the inspiratory conduit and the flow driver; and
during the drying mode, gases from the flow driver are delivered through the chamber and the inspiratory conduit.
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