CN107715271A

CN107715271A - The humidifying of breathing gas

Info

Publication number: CN107715271A
Application number: CN201711113667.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伊恩·马尔科姆·史密斯; 安德鲁·罗德里希·巴特; 纳坦·约翰·罗; 亚历山大·威尔
Original assignee: Resmed Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Resmed Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-06
Filing date: 2009-03-06
Publication date: 2018-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-06
Also published as: CN107715271B; CN101537221A; CN113425974A

Abstract

A kind of humidifier for breathing equipment, for by the humidifying air stream transportation of breathable gas to patient, including：Humidifier chamber, be configured to storage humidification can respiratory air flow supply water and including be configured to heat supply water the first heating element heater；Humidity sensor, for detecting the humidity of surrounding air and producing the signal of indicative for environments humidity；First temperature sensor, for detecting the temperature of surrounding air and producing the signal of indicative for environments temperature；Controller, be configured to control the first heating element heater with to can respiratory air flow predetermined absolute humidity, predetermined temperature and/or predetermined relative humidity are provided；And second temperature sensor, for detecting the temperature of the first heating element heater, wherein controller is configured as controlling the dutycycle of the first heating element heater with so that controller is configured to apply when the first temp of heating element be less than threshold temperature 100% dutycycle to the first heating element heater, and when the first temp of heating element is higher than threshold temperature application fixed duty cycle to the first heating element heater.

Description

The humidifying of breathing gas

The application be Application No. 2014105431009, the applying date be March 6, entitled " tidal air in 2009 The divisional application of the application for a patent for invention of the humidifying of body ", the patent application of Application No. 2014105431009 is Application No. 200910138707.8th, the applying date is the application for a patent for invention on March 6th, 2009, entitled " humidifying of breathing gas " Divisional application.

The cross reference of related application

This application claims the priority of following U.S. Patent application, and they are the Shen for the applying date being on March 6th, 2008 respectively Please 61/034,318, the application 61/042,112 that the applying date is on April 3rd, 2008 and Shen that the applying date is on July 29th, 2008 Please 084,366, it is above-mentioned each application full content be hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the system and method for the humidity of control breathable gas, the system and method are used for various forms Breathing equipment ventilating system, including sleep disordered breathing (SDB) situation to such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) And the intrusive mood or non-intrusion type ventilation, continuous positive airway that various other disordered breathings and disease are carried out (CPAP), double horizontal stretchers and disposal.

Background technology

Breathing equipment generally has the ability for the humidity for changing breathable gas, so as to reduce patient airway it is dry and due to Air flue dries the uncomfortable and related complication of caused patient.Using be placed between flow generator and patient mask plus Wet device can produce humidified gas, and the gas makes drying for schneiderian membrance minimize and add the comfortableness of patient airway.In addition It is generally more comfortable than applying cold air to the air that mask is interior and the application of the face area of surrounding is warm under colder environment.

There is the humidifier of many types at present, be integrally formed although the form of most convenient is that to related breathing equipment Or it is configured to be connected thereto.Although passive humidifier can provide some alleviations, the humidifier of heating is usually required To provide enough humidity and temperature to air, so that patient will be comfortable on.Humidifier is typically comprised with hundreds of milliliters The bucket of capacity, the heating element heater for heating the water in bucket, enable controller that humidity level changes, receive and come from gas The gas access of the gas of flow-generator, and suitable for being connected to the gas for the patient catheter that humidification gas is transmitted to patient mask Body exports.

Typically, heating element heater is integrated with heating plate, and the heating plate is located at below bucket and thermally contacted with bucket.

The air of humidifying may cool down on the path along the conduit from humidifier to patient, cause " rain-out (rain-out) " phenomenon, or condensation is formed on the inwall of conduit.In order to overcome above mentioned problem, known solution is The gas of patient is supplied to extraly to heat by the heating wire circuit being inserted into patient catheter, wherein the patient leads The gas of humidifying is supplied to patient mask by pipe from humidifier.Rub hereby than respiratory care equipment (Mosby ' s Respiratory Care Equipment) such system is elaborated in page 97 in (the 7th edition).Alternately, heating has Line circuit can be positioned on the wall of patient catheter.Such system is described in United States Patent (USP) 6,918,389.

In hospital environment, environment temperature in hospital is by airconditioning control to be usually maintained in such as about 23 DEG C.Therefore The temperature needed for humidified gas that breathing equipment is provided can be controlled in fixed temperature parameter.Controlled temperature ginseng Number ensures that humidified gas maintains the temperature on their dew point to prevent the condensation in breathing catheter.

Humidifier is also often used in home care environment, for the disorderly treatment of pause that for example breathes and sleep In.With humidification system that family expenses CPAP device is used together due to cost limits and needs to make system compact and it is in light weight, have Comfortable flexible pipe and mask, it is also necessary to it faces have low-complexity during unbred user, therefore by many limitations. In the system used in clinical or hospital, this limitation is not a problem generally, and temperature and moisture sensors may be provided at Directly fed back in air flue and adjacent to the nose of patient with being provided to control system, it is ensured that good effect.Said system Cost, size, weight and discomfort also be not suitable for family expenses.Therefore family user is relied only on by experiment and mistake The experience obtained obtains acceptable effect.

In home care environment, the scope of environment temperature and gas temperature may be considerably beyond hospital environment.In family In nursing, environment temperature at night may as little as 10 DEG C, and day temperature can exceed that 20 DEG C.Such temperature change causes It is unfavorable to state usually used control technology experience.Using the humidifier of the above-mentioned type, condensation on breathing catheter (or rainwater punching Wash) at least it will appear to a certain extent.Degree of condensation depend heavilys on the difference of environment temperature, environment temperature and gas temperature Not bigger, degree of condensation is bigger.A large amount of water are formed in respiratory siphon suitable inconvenience is caused to patient, and gas may be accelerated cold But so as to finally block pipeline, current sound is produced in pipe, or water may be sprayed into patient's body.It is transmitted in addition, working as Temperature and the environment temperature of breathing gas when differing greatly, patient may also not feel like oneself.Excessive condensation also results in humidification The invalid use of water in the humidifier chamber of device.

There is monitoring environment temperature and air mass flow as the input quantity for being input to control algolithm to attempt to solve These problems related to family expenses respiratory system, the heating input of the algorithm prediction correction are set with following the trail of the initial of user Put.But this method still relies on user and determines an appropriate setting for each service condition.

The content of the invention

One scheme is a kind of breathing equipment, and which solves breathable gas of the patient on being transferred to patient interface The complaint of excessive condensation etc. in not warm enough, mycteroxerosis symptom and/or air transporting hose.

Another program is a kind of breathing equipment, and the device allows patient to select to be transferred to the breathable gas of patient interface Temperature and/or relative humidity and/or absolute humidity.In replacement and/or additional scheme, humidifier outlet it is absolute Humidity is controlled as regulation to the predetermined relative humidity for being transferred to patient.

Another aspect is a kind of breathing equipment, and the humidifying gas that the device provides predetermined temperature and/or humidity flows to patient and connect Mouthful, while consider to change environment temperature and/or humidity.

Yet another aspect is a kind of breathing equipment, the device provide predetermined temperature and/or humidity humidifying can respiratory air flow arrive Patient interface, while consider to change the flow of the humidifying air-flow of breathable gas.

Yet another aspect is related to a kind of breathing equipment, the device include may be connected to flow generator together and humidifier with Allow connection and/or instruction connection between flow generator and humidifier and/or remove.

Another aspect is related to a kind of breathing equipment, and the device includes humidifier and heating air delivery tube, flexible pipe or conduit. The dutycycle of the heating element heater of humidifier and the dutycycle of heating tube may be controlled so as to be synthesized by above-mentioned two dutycycle Dutycycle be no more than 100%, and/or receive electric power when making the heating element heater of humidifier with heating tube difference.At one In scheme substitute and/or additional, heating element heater and/or heating tube the regulation temperature of humidifier rather than apply one it is fixed Dutycycle.In another replacement and/or additional scheme, the temperature of the humidifying air-flow of breathable gas in air delivery tube In the measured downstream of humidifier to adjust to the predetermined relative humidity for being transferred to patient.

Another program is related to a kind of flow generator, and it detects the connection of the pipeline of such as heating tube, and/or connecting tube Size, and/or the separation of pipeline and humidifier.

Yet another aspect is related to a kind of flow generator, and it includes for example being stored in the constant of such as control parameter in table, The constant can control humidifier and/or heating tube by three linear insertions.

Another aspect is related to a kind of breathing equipment and its controller, and the device includes humidifier and may be connected to humidifier On non-heated pipe.

Yet another aspect is related to a kind of humidifier controller, and it is by the voltage conversion Cheng Wen for example measured on thermistor Degree.

More a scheme is related to a kind of breathing equipment, and the device includes flow generator and humidifier, the flow generator It can be connected between the two with humidifier and data and/or instruction can be transmitted by serial communication link.

According to an example embodiment, the humidification for the breathing equipment of the humidifying air-flow to patient transmission's breathable gas Device include be configured to storage supply water with humidify can respiratory air flow humidifier chamber, humidifier chamber include be configured to heating supply water The first heating element heater；Detection ambient air relative humidity and the relative humidity sensing for producing the signal of indicative for environments relative humidity Device；Detection ambient air temperature simultaneously produces the first temperature sensor of the signal of indicative for environments temperature；Be configured to by relatively wet Signal caused by degree sensor and the first temperature sensor determines the absolute humidity of surrounding air to control the first heating element heater To can respiratory air flow the controller of predetermined absolute humidity is provided.

According to another example embodiment, for the breathing equipment of the humidifying air-flow to patient transmission's breathable gas plus Wet device include be configured to storage to humidify can respiratory air flow supply water humidifier chamber, humidifier chamber include be configured to heat Supply the first heating element heater of water；Detect the absolute humidity of humidifying air-flow and produce the absolute humidity of the signal of instruction absolute humidity Sensor；Be configured to receive signal caused by absolute humidity sensor and control the first heating element heater with to can respiratory air flow The controller of predetermined absolute humidity is provided.

According to another example embodiment, for the breathing equipment of the humidifying air-flow to patient transmission's breathable gas plus Wet device include be configured to storage to humidify can respiratory air flow supply water humidifier chamber, humidifier chamber include be configured to heat Supply the first heating element heater of water；Detect the relative humidity of surrounding air and produce the relative of the signal of indicative for environments relative humidity Humidity sensor；Detection ambient air temperature simultaneously produces the first temperature sensor of the signal of indicative for environments temperature；Be configured to Absolute humidity and the control first of surrounding air are determined from signal caused by relative humidity sensor and the first temperature sensor Heating element heater to can respiratory air flow the controller of predetermined absolute humidity, predetermined temperature and/or predetermined relative humidity is provided.

According to another example embodiment, for the breathing equipment of the humidifying air-flow to patient transmission's breathable gas plus Wet device include be configured to storage to humidify can respiratory air flow supply water humidifier chamber, humidifier chamber include be configured to heat Supply the first heating element heater of water；Detect the absolute humidity of surrounding air and produce the absolute of the signal of indicative for environments absolute humidity Humidity sensor；Detection ambient air temperature simultaneously produces the first temperature sensor of the signal of indicative for environments temperature；Be configured to Control the first heating element heater to can respiratory air flow the control of predetermined absolute humidity, predetermined temperature and/or predetermined relative humidity is provided Device.

According to another exemplary embodiment, include such as providing the breathing equipment of humidifying air-flow of breathable gas to patient It is upper described produce can respiratory air flow flow generator and humidifier.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a kind of humidifying to patient provide can respiratory air flow method, this method includes true It is fixed be used to being formed can respiratory air flow surrounding air absolute humidity；With control be used for humidifying can respiratory air flow supply water temperature Degree is to provide the predetermined temperature of the air-flow with being transferred to patient and the corresponding predetermined absolute humidity of predetermined relative humidity.

According to another example embodiment, for the breathing equipment of the humidifying air-flow to patient transmission's breathable gas plus Wet device include be configured to storage to humidify can respiratory air flow supply water humidifier chamber.Humidifier further comprises being configured to Receive can respiratory air flow entrance, be configured to heating supply water the first heating element heater and be configured to transmit breathable gas it is wet Change the outlet that gas flows to conduit.It is configured to control the electric power for being supplied to heating element heater to provide to the humidifying air-flow of breathable gas The controller of predetermined absolute humidity.Controller in response to ambient condition and/or can respiratory air flow change and constantly regulate supply Electric power to the first heating element heater provides predetermined absolute humidity with lasting.

According to another example embodiment, a kind of humidifying to patient provide can respiratory air flow method, this method includes It is determined that for formed can respiratory air flow surrounding air absolute humidity；With control be used for humidifying can respiratory air flow supply water Temperature to humidifying air-flow to provide predetermined absolute humidity.The temperature of control supply water is included in response to ambient air temperature, environment The relative humidity of air, the absolute humidity of surrounding air and/or can respiratory air flow change and adjust the temperature of supply water to hold It is continuous that predetermined absolute humidity is provided.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a kind of humidifying to patient provide can respiratory air flow method, this method include inspection The temperature of the humidifying air-flow of transporting hose one end is surveyed, the transporting hose is configured for connection to patient interface；It is soft to produce instruction transmission The signal of the temperature of the humidifying air-flow of tube end；With in response to the signal controlling transmission flexible pipe heating element heater.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the humidification for the breathing equipment of the humidifying air-flow to patient transmission's breathable gas Device include be configured to storage to humidifying can respiratory air flow supply water humidifier chamber, humidifier chamber include be configured to heating supply Ying Shui the first heating element heater；The absolute humidity for detecting the absolute humidity of surrounding air and producing the signal of instruction absolute humidity passes Sensor；Be configured to receive absolute humidity sensor caused by signal and control the first heating element heater with to can respiratory air flow carry For the controller of predetermined absolute humidity.Predetermined absolute humidity corresponds to predetermined temperature and predetermined relative humidity.

Brief description of the drawings

Example embodiment is described referring now to accompanying drawing, wherein：

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the flow generator and humidifier according to an example embodiment；

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates the flow generator in Fig. 1；

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates the humidifier in Fig. 1；

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates the air transporting hose and patient interface according to an example embodiment；

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the air transporting hose in Fig. 4 of the opposite end of air transporting hose, and can connect To electrical connections therein；

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates the breathing equipment according to an example embodiment；

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates the temperature of the absolute humidity of surrounding air and surrounding air in the case of steam-laden Between relation；

Fig. 8 is schematically illustrated according to an example in the case where environment absolute humidity does not change in humidifier bucket Water temperature and ambient air temperature between relation；

Fig. 9 is schematically illustrated according to a comparative example, in the case where environment absolute humidity does not change Water temperature in humidifier bucket and be transferred to patient interface air-flow temperature and environment temperature between relation；

Figure 10 schematically illustrates to be occurred according to the water temperature of another example in response to transmitting the temperature change of gas Change；

Figure 11 schematically illustrates the water temperature response in the case where environment temperature does not change according to another example Change change occurred in ambient humidity；

Figure 12 schematically illustrates the water temperature according to an example in response to the average gas flow by humidifier Change change occurred；

Figure 13 schematically illustrates the humidifier according to another example embodiment；

Figure 14 is schematically illustrated according to an example embodiment during using breathing equipment, in response to surrounding The change of environment and/or average discharge is set by controlling the heating element heater of humidifier to compensate the demonstration of humidifier；

Figure 15 is schematically illustrated according to control of the example embodiment to breathing equipment；

Figure 16 schematically illustrates the control to breathing equipment according to another example embodiment；

Figure 17 schematically illustrates the control to breathing equipment according to another example embodiment；With

Figure 18 schematically illustrates the control to breathing equipment according to another example embodiment.

Embodiment

Humidification is theoretical

Humidity represents the water vapour content in air.Humidity is generally measured with two methods：Absolute humidity (AH) and relative Humidity (RH).Absolute humidity is the actual content according to the water recorded per volume weight.Absolute humidity is generally with gram every cube Rice (g/cm³) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) measurement.

Relative humidity be in gas actual water vapour content relative under any assigned temperature carry water ability hundred Divide ratio.The ability that air carries vapor improves with the rise of air themperature.For the sky with stable absolute humidity Gas, relative humidity will reduce with the rise of air themperature.Conversely, for water saturation air (i.e. 100%RH), if temperature Decline, excessive water will condense from air.

The air that people is breathed is by air flue heats and humidifies to 37 DEG C temperature and 100%RH.At this temperature, definitely Humidity is about in 44mg/L.

Humidification for CPAP

ISO8185 requires that medical humidifier can provide minimum 10mg/LAH, and when the epithelium healing of patient is bypassed most Small is 33mg/L.These minimums calculate when requiring to input dry air.These minimum requirements are also suitable only for short-period used. The symptom that these minimum requirements are typically not enough to dry nose and epithelium healing minimizes.Under normal operation, Huan Zhehuo Clinician should can be set the air themperature that patient interface is transferred to from environment to about 37 DEG C.If breathing equipment Warning system or indicator are not provided, according to ISO8185 51.61-51.8 parts, in normal and single default situations Under (single faultcondition), should be no more than by being transferred to the air themperature of patient interface by 41 DEG C.

For CPAP, 44mg/L upper limit level is probably unsuitable, because the epithelium healing of patient is not bypassed.Separately On the one hand, 10mg/L threshold level may be too low for CPAP, especially for the patient of mouth leaks.

Although the minimum level of the humidity needed for couple determination CPAP is not studied, Wiest etc. (Sleep, volume 24 4th phase, the 435-440 pages, 2001) find for North America and European patient, when CPAP therapy does not use humidifier system During system, 10mg/L mean absolute humidity is too low.This development test two kinds of humidifiers, two kinds of humidifiers all provide at least 23mg/L absolute humidity.Wiest etc. sums up the level that the 10mg/L AH more than ISO8185 are needed for CPAP, but can Can be less than 23mg/L AH used in research.Applicant have determined that about 20-30mg/L absolute humidity provides appropriate trouble Person's comfortableness.

Humidifier and flow generator

With reference to figure 1, breathing equipment 1 may include flow generator 2 and humidifier 4, and both are configured to be connected with each other.This Flow generator and the humidifier combination of sample are disclosed in, such as in the A1 of WO 2004/112873, work is incorporated herein in entire contents For reference.Humidifier can also be such as United States Patent (USP) 6, and work is incorporated herein in the humidifier disclosed in 935,337, entire contents For reference.

Flow generator 2 may include ON/OFF switches 6 and display 8, such as LCD, to show the operation of flow generator State and the other parameters being described more fully below.Flow generator 2 can also include being used to control what flow generator 2 operated Button 14, such as to select the various programs being stored in the memory of controller, the controller is configured to control air-flow hair The operation of raw device.Button 14 can be used for setting various parameters, for example, the flow of flow generator 2.

Humidifier 4 can include the electric power and setting patient interface that control handle 10 is used to control heating element heater (not shown) The temperature at place, as described in detail below.Alternately, the control for humidifier 4 can be 2-in-1 simultaneously with flow generator. Humidifier 4 can also include outlet 12, outlet 12 be configured for connection to for through patient interface to patient transmission's breathable gas Humidifying air-flow air transporting hose or conduit.

With reference to figure 2, flow generator 2 can be by for example, be molded as top shell 16 and the two-part rigid plastics material of drain pan 18 Material is formed.Top shell 16 and drain pan 18 define the composition surface 20 of flow generator 2, and composition surface 20 is configured to when humidifier 4 connects To engagement humidifier 4 during flow generator 2.Composition surface 20 include being configured to the corresponding tongue piece that is arranged on humidifier 4 (not Show) engagement a pair of grooves 22, by means of the engagement of above-mentioned groove and tongue piece, flow generator 2 and humidifier 4 are connected to one Rise.Electric connector 24 can be provided to be used to provide electric power to humidifier 4 when flow generator 2 is connected with humidifier 4.Air-flow is sent out Raw device 2 may further include outlet 26, its be configured to when flow generator 2 is connected with humidifier 4 can tidal air spread It is defeated by humidifier 4.

As shown in figure 3, humidifier 4 can include hinged lid 28.Humidifier 4 can also include bucket, such as U.S. Patent application Disclose disclosed in 2008/0302361 A1, entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.Humidifier 4 can also include can The heating element heater controlled by control handle 10.Such heating element heater is disclosed in such as A1 of WO 2008/148154, its whole Content is hereby incorporated by reference.Humidifier can also be heated, as disclosed in the A1 of WO 2004/112873.

, should although flow generator and humidifier are disclosed as the isolated system that can be connected as single unit system When recognizing that flow generator and humidifier can be provided as the individual component that integral outward appearance is presented of can not linking together, Such as United States Patent (USP) 6, as disclosed in 338,473, entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Air transporting hose

With reference to figure 4, air delivery conduit or flexible pipe 30 are connected to the patient interface 32 of such as mask, so as to can tidal air The humidifying air-flow of body is transferred to patient from humidifier outlet.It should be appreciated that patient interface 32 can be nasal mask, full-face mask, Nasal cannula, nasal pillow or nose fork, or be configured to around pad and the nose fork of patients mouth or the combination of nasal pillow.

Air transporting hose 30 can be heating tube, as disclosed in the A1 of U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/0105257 Like that, entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.Air transporting hose 30 can be made by such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) Pipe 30a and spiral ribs 30b is formed for example made of very low density polyethylene.Wire 30c, 30d, 30e can be by spiral shells Rib 30b supports are revolved, so as to be in contact with pipe 30a outer surface.Wire 30c, 30d, 30e can be used for heating tube 30a Signal is sent with the controller into flow generator 2 and/or humidifier 4 or is received from their signal.It should be appreciated that Air transporting hose 30 can include two wires, and signal can pass through this two wire multiplexing.It is also recognized that Air transporting hose 30 can include the form of heating element heater, for example, fire-bar or wire, such as WO2009/015410 A1 institutes Disclosed, entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Air transporting hose 30 includes the connector or envelope for being configured to air transporting hose 30 being connected to patient interface 32 Cover (cuff) 34.Patient interface big envelope 34 can include temperature sensor, such as such as U.S. Patent Application Publication 2008/ Thermistor disclosed in 0105257 A1, entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference, and patient interface is transferred to detect The temperature of the humidifying air-flow of 32 breathable gas.

With reference to figure 5, air transporting hose 30 includes the connector or big envelope 36 for being configured for connection to the outlet 12 of humidifier. Humidifier big envelope 36 include be configured for connection to outlet 12 end 36a, and grip part 36b so as to for air transporting hose 30 with The connection of outlet 12 preferably grasps with departing to provide.

Humidifier big envelope 36 can be connected to the controller of humidifier 4 by electrical connector 38.Electrical connector 38 is to air Wire 30c, 30d, 30e of transporting hose 30 provide electric power to add along it from humidifier 4 to the length direction of patient interface 32 Hot-air transporting hose 30.

Respiratory system

With reference to figure 6, flow generator 2, humidifier 4 can be included according to the respiratory system of an example embodiment of the invention With air transporting hose 30.Patient interface 32 may be connected on air transporting hose 30.

Flow generator 2 can include controller 40.Flow generator controller 40 can include, such as FPGA Controller or application-specific IC (ASIC).Flow generator 2 may further include flow sensor 42 to detect gas Caused by flow-generator 2 and be transferred to the entrance of humidifier 4 can respiratory air flow volume (such as liter/min).It should recognize It can estimate from the motor speed of flow generator to flow rather than directly be provided by flow sensor.

Humidifier 4 can include controller 44.Humidifier controller 44 can be, for example, programmable logic controller (PLC) or ASIC.It should be appreciated that in the case where flow generator and humidifier can be joined together to form single unit system, air-flow hair Raw device controller and humidifier controller can be arranged to control the single controller of two devices.Alternately, air-flow is sent out The controller 40 of raw device can include the whole function of controller 44, and when humidifier is connected, can be from controller 40 Obtain the function of being related to humidification.

Humidifier 4 further comprises the heating element heater 46 for being configured to the supply water that heating is stored in humidifier 4.Heating unit Part 46 can be, such as be arranged on the plate below humidifier bucket.It is also recognized that heating element heater 46 can include such as WO Heating element heater disclosed in 2009/015410 A1, entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.Temperature sensor can be provided 48 to detect the temperature for the water that heating element heater 46 is heated.It should be appreciated that the temperature by detecting or measuring heating element heater 46 Degree determines water temperature, such as the temperature of heating element heater is directly detected by using temperature sensor.

Humidifier 4 may further include temperature sensor 50 for detecting ambient air temperature and for detecting environment The relative humidity sensor 52 of relative air humidity.Humidifier can also selectively include ambient pressure sensor 53.Should Recognize that sensor 50,52,53 need not provide on humidifier, but can for example from including sensor and may be connected to plus The position of wet device 4 is provided separately.It is to be recognized that can give flow generator 2 rather than humidifier 4 provide sensor 50, 52nd, 53, or environment temperature, relative humidity and environmental pressure can be supplied to from a position flow generator 2 rather than add Wet device 4.It is further appreciated that flow sensor 42 can be supplied to humidifier 4 rather than flow generator 2, or flow Sensor 42 is also provided to humidifier 4 in addition to flow generator 2 is supplied to.Environment temperature, phase should be further recognized that Humidity and ambient pressure sensor 50,52,53 can be substituted by absolute humidity sensor, the absolute humidity sensor is matched somebody with somebody Be set to detection for example humidifier outlet humidifying air-flow absolute humidity, and produce instruction absolute humidity signal.

Air transporting hose 30 includes the temperature sensor 54 of such as thermistor in patient interface big envelope 34.It should recognize Knowing temperature sensor 54 can be arranged in patient interface 32 rather than in big envelope 34.Temperature detected by temperature sensor 54 Humidifier controller 44 can be transferred to by air transporting hose 30 as signal.

Fig. 6 system be configurable to allow patient select and setting be transferred to patient interface 32 breathable gas it is wet Change the temperature of air-flow.For example, system is configurable to allow user using the control handle 10 on humidifier 4 or air-flow to occur The control button 14 of device 2 is set in the temperature of the humidifying air-flow of patient interface 32.For example, system be configurable to allow patient or Clinician selects the scope of the temperature of the humidifying air-flow of patient interface about from 10 DEG C -37 DEG C, such as about 26 DEG C -28 DEG C. System can be configured to prevent patient or clinician from selecting and/or being set lower than the temperature value of environment temperature.Environment temperature can be with It is shown on the display 8 of flow generator, or can be with display alarm patient when selected temperature is less than environment temperature Or the information that clinician's temperature is invalid.Alternately, system can allow selection automatically or the temperature of acquiescence is set, example Such as 27 DEG C.

Fig. 6 system can be configured as providing the absolute humidity between such as about 10-44mg/L to patient interface 32. The relative humidity of the air-flow of patient interface can be controlled as being less than 100%RH, such as about 70-90%RH, such as silent Recognize the about 80%RH of value.Keep the relative humidity of the air-flow in air transporting hose 30 helps to prevent to add less than 100%RH Rain-out (rain out) phenomenon in air transporting hose between wet device 4 and patient interface 32.System can also configure To provide the relative humidity automatically or given tacit consent to, such as 80% in patient interface 32.System can be configured as allowing patient or face Bed doctor sets the relative humidity of the air-flow of patient interface 32.Although the relative humidity of the air-flow of patient interface 32 can directly by The humidity sensor being arranged in patient interface detects, but is easily misread or because condensation failure because of humidity sensor, It is probably the relative humidity and temperature for detecting surrounding air or entering air-flow with a more reliable method, and calculates absolute humidity.

Fig. 6 system can compensate in big environment temperature and range of humidity variation.The gas flow temperature of patient interface 32 For example it can be detected directly by temperature sensor 54.The relative humidity of the air-flow of patient interface can be according to data below To calculate：1) water content of surrounding air (from its environment temperature and relative humidity)；2) water temperature in humidifier bucket (for example, by Temperature sensor 48 detects)；And/or 3) by the flow of humidifier bucket (for example, being examined by the flow sensor 42 of flow generator Survey).It should be appreciated that relative humidity can also be passed for example by the relative humidity in the end of pipe 30 or patient interface 32 Sensor directly detects.

The gas flow temperature of patient interface 32 can be supplied to the electric power of air transporting hose 30 to control by control, such as By the electric current for the wire for controlling flexible pipe 30.The relative humidity of the air-flow of patient interface 32 can pass through the water temperature in humidifier bucket To control, using environment temperature, envionmental humidity and flow as input parameter.

Humid control

With reference to figure 7, the saturated humidity ratio of surrounding air can be calculated by the humidity characteristic of vapor.See, e.g., Y. Money gill, Mike Lao-Xi Er'sHeat transfer(Heat Transfer, Y.Cengel, McGraw-Hill), 1998 (958-59 pages, Table A 9).Or see, e.g.,The industrial water and steam thermodynamic property calculation formula IAPWS of distribution in 1997(Release on the IAPWS Industrial Formulation 1997 for the Thermodynamic Properties of Water and Steam), international water and wasted water association (The International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam), in September, 1997, Germany, Ai Erlangen (Erlangen).As shown in fig. 7, absolutely Humidity is represented with mg/L, i.e. steam quality in per unit volume air, its conditional is environment temperature and standard (Hai Ping Face) pressure, or ATPS.The absolute humidity AHa of surrounding air can be by any equation of the humidity characteristic corresponding to vapor Or look-up table limits.For example, following quadratic equation：

AHa=RHa (K₁-K₂·Ta+K₃·Ta²) (1),

Wherein RHa is the relative humidity of surrounding air, and Ta is the temperature of surrounding air, K₁、K₂And K₃It is coefficient.Such as it is Number K₁、K₂、K₃Can be with empirically determined, for example data are obtained by curve matching.Such as K₁7.264, K can be equal to₂Can be with Equal to 0.09276, and K₃0.02931 can be equal to.

Target relative humidity RHm at mask at the target temperature Tm and mask of air-flow also defines absolute at mask Humidity AHm, as following equation is limited：

AHm=RHm (K₁-K₂·Tm+K₃·Tm²) (2),

Wherein, such as K₁=7.264, K₂=0.09276, and K₃=0.02931.

Determined by equation (1) environment absolute humidity AHa and determined by equation (2) mask it is absolute wet Difference DELTA AH between degree AHm is equal to the absolute humidity being added to by humidifier 4 in air-flow.Certainly, if AHm ＜ AHa, are not required to Humidified.The given flow F (L/min) by humidifier bucket, the derivative equation that description humidifier can be used to respond Formula determines the evaporation rate E of water.For example, in one embodiment, evaporation rate can by below equation by flow and The change of absolute humidity determines：

E (g/hr)=Δ AH (mg/L) F (L/min) (60min/hr) 0.001g/mg (3).

As an example, for the CPAP therapy carried out using the system in Fig. 6, supply 10cm H₂O pressure is to control Treat OSA patient.In 10cm H₂During O, flow F is about 35L/min, and it is equal to mask ventilation flow under a predetermined. In the case where environment temperature Ta is 20 DEG C and envionmental humidity RHa is 50%, according to equation (1), into humidifier The absolute humidity AHa of air is equal to 0.517.3=10.4mg/L.Assuming that patient selects mask temperature Tm for 25 DEG C and relative Humidity is chosen or is automatically made 90%, then according to equation (2), the absolute humidity AHm at mask is equal to 0.923.3 =20.9mg/L.The increased absolute humidity Δ AH of humidifier institute is equal to 20.9-10.4=10.5mg/L.According to equation (3), The evaporation rate E of humidifier is it is thus determined that be E=(10.5mg/L) (35L/min) (60min/hr) (0.001g/mg) =22g/hr.

The evaporation rate of water is related to its steam pressure, its by aqueous water temperature-driven.In general, water temperature often rises 10 DEG C, saturated vapour pressure just almost doubles.See, e.g., Y. money gills, Mike Lao-Xi Er'sHeat transfer,1998 (958-59 pages, Table A 9).Or see, e.g.,The industrial water and steam thermodynamic property calculation formula of distribution in 1997 IAPWS, international water and wasted water association, in September, 1997, Germany, Ai Erlangen.In addition, surrounding air water content, i.e., by The steam pressure for the water being already present on determined by ambient air temperature and ambient air relative humidity in surrounding air, reduce Evaporation rate.The atmospheric pressure of surrounding air can also influence evaporation rate, but not as good as water temperature increase and surrounding air water content pair The influence of evaporation rate is big.Atmospheric pressure is lower, and vapor evaporation is faster, such as height above sea level more high water vapor evaporation is faster.

Water temperature in humidifier bucket can be with closed-loop control.Alternately, the temperature of underwater heating element heater can also closed loop Control.Other parameters can be used for the set point of closed-loop control.For example, saturations of the evaporation rate E by vapor in humidifier bucket The limitation of degree.Steam-laden degree in bucket depends on the temperature for the air that humidifier is flowed into from flow generator.Air-flow is sent out Raw device can increase the temperature for the air for flowing into humidifier, for example, by from heat caused by flow generator motor.

Theory relation between evaporation rate and water temperature also assumes that vapor in humidifier bucket by effectively from bucket Remove.But the container of some generation vapor may be got around by the airflow pattern of bucket.In addition, the agitaion of air-flow can be with Pass through the water uniform transmission heat in bucket.

Theory relation also assumes that evaporation rate is not influenceed until reaching saturation largely by bucket air temperature.It is real On border, such as reduce ambient air temperature and make water surface turn cold can to reduce evaporation rate.From heating bucket by water and bucket There is thermograde in the outside of wall arrival humidifier.These thermogrades may cause detected temperature and actual water It is inconsistent between the temperature on surface.Even if without using temperature sensor, thermograde still may cause water temperature and water meter Face temperature it is inconsistent.Evaporation rate is relevant with the temperature of water surface.

Change of the temperature of example 1- control masks to environment temperature is adjusted

In this example, the system in Fig. 6 is set to that saturated air is transferred into mask at 30 DEG C.Patient or clinic Doctor can carry out design temperature using the control button 14 of flow generator 2 and/or the control handle 10 of humidifier 4.Such as The bedroom of patient is during patient is in sleep, and the absolute humidity of surrounding air is 10mg/L, and the absolute humidity is not with ring The temperature change of border air and change.As shown in table 1, the water temperature in humidifier bucket is adjusted to obtains 100% in patient interface RH air.

Table 1

As shown in figure 8, the result of closed-loop control is not consider the environment temperature of room air, the water temperature in bucket must control In about the same set point.Therefore, if adjusting the temperature at mask, system need not respond the change of the temperature of surrounding air Change.

Comparative example 1- does not control mask temperature and the change to environment temperature is adjusted

In this comparative example, the air themperature of patient interface is transferred to not under feedback control loop.On the contrary, system quilt Control as so that the water temperature in humidifier bucket is controlled as following the trail of ambient air temperature, as shown in table 2 and Fig. 9.

Table 2

In this comparative example, all it is to all temperature although being transferred to the relative humidity of the air of patient interface 100%RH, but it is transferred to the absolute humidity change of the air of patient interface very greatly, such as from 12.5mg/L-30.7mg/L.Transmission Gas flow temperature to patient interface changes also according to ambient air temperature.Therefore patient can not improve the gas for being transferred to patient interface Flow temperature.

The regulation that example 2- changes to the design temperature at patient interface

Reference table 3 and Figure 10, in this example, Fig. 6 system are controlled as being used to transmit saturated air, and patient The temperature of interface is changed.

Table 3

It is assumed that surrounding air is 22.5 DEG C, absolute humidity is 10mg/L, and relative humidity is 50%.It is assumed that environmental air conditions Do not change.Water temperature in conditioning moisturer bucket in patient interface to obtain 100%RH, as shown in table 3.At patient interface The raising of required temperature, the water temperature in humidifier bucket are also improved to keep the saturation degree of the air of transmission.As shown in Figure 10, Relation between the temperature of the air of water temperature and transmission in humidifier bucket is approximately linear, for example, being transferred to patient interface The temperature of air often increases by 1 DEG C, approximate 1.55 DEG C of the increase of water temperature.Temperature at mask can be applied to heating tube by control Electric power automatically and independently controls.

In this example, be transferred to the air of patient interface temperature can by patient or clinician by using, Such as the control button 14 of flow generator 2 is selected.Patient can select to allow to adjust the Air Temperature at patient interface The operator scheme of degree.Then, the heating element heater of humidifier is automatically controlled with as the air themperature needed at patient interface increases Add and improve the water temperature in humidifier bucket, and correspondingly reduce water temperature with the reduction of required air themperature.

The regulation that example 3- changes to ambient humidity

Regulation is made in the change that Fig. 6 system can be configured as to ambient humidity.For example, the letter from sensor 50,52 Number controller 40 and/or 44 can be supplied to the absolute humidity of occurs either periodically or continuously computing environment air.Such as table 4 and figure Shown in 11, the temperature of surrounding air keeps relative constancy, such as 22.5 DEG C, but absolute humidity is within whole patient sleeps' cycle All changing.

Table 4

Water temperature in humidifier bucket is adjusted to the acquisition 100%RH at patient interface.Temperature at patient interface is kept It is constant, such as 30 DEG C.Therefore the water temperature in humidifier bucket drops with the absolute humidity of surrounding air and the increase of relative humidity It is low.The temperature for the saturated air that system allows to be transferred to patient interface by this control mode keeps relative constancy, such as the institute of table 4 Show.

The regulation that example 4- changes to air mass flow

Reference table 5 and Figure 12, environment temperature and relative humidity and the temperature of air for being transferred to patient interface are constant 's.

Table 5

Can be with by the flow of humidifier, such as pass through Leix plum moral (ResMed)Control algolithm Act on and adjust.Flow can also, such as be conditioned in response to the gas leakage at patient interface.As shown in table 5 and Figure 12, humidification Water temperature in device bucket is improved with the increase of air mass flow so as to keep the saturation degree at patient interface.

Respiratory system can control according to each in example 1-4 or combinations thereof.Table 1 and 3-5 and Fig. 8 and 10- 12 data provided can be stored in such as memory of controller 40 and/or 44.Controller 40,44 can be programmed to Access the data in storage information.Controller 40,44 can also be programmed to insert and/or extrapolate the data in storage information. Setting for the heating element heater of appropriate evaporation rate is provided for environment temperature and humidity, the flow and predetermined each combination for exporting humidity Fixed point so as to show design and be introduced into controller, such as can be stored in and deposited with empirically determined as a table Stored in reservoir or as a prescription formula.

Although the relative humidity that the air of patient interface is transferred in each in example 1-4 is described as 100%, But it would be recognized that the relative humidity for being transferred to the air of patient interface can be about 50%-100%, such as about 70%-90%, or it is about 80% to be used as another example, or other numerical value of patient or clinician's selection.

Humidifier controls

Humidifier 4 can provide user and optionally set, and it will provide the automatic transmission of predetermined moisture content at mask 32.Will Consideration causes the situation of undesirable condensation in pipe 30 and determines the example value of the air moisture content for being transmitted.For above exhaling The normal user in road is inhaled, desired physiologic result is to adjust air to approximate normal nose state.For example, environment is empty Gas can be 20 DEG C and 25%RH (4mg/L AH).Air can be heated and humidified equal to about 20 DEG C and 80%RH The situation of (14mg/L AH).Therefore corresponding to the 14mg/L of the 80%RH absolute humidity water content at 20 DEG C can be chosen Select as example value.Humidifier will be set with 14mg/L output.10mg/L difference will be added by humidifier.It should recognize Although knowing, this value can be selected as example value and humidifier is configurable to include the user for automatically providing this value setting, should Example, which is worth, to be determined or change on the basis of clinical recommendation, and humidifier is configurable to, or is redeployed as including certainly Dynamic user's setting that the clinical water content determined is provided.For example, patient or clinician can be about 10mg/L-25mg/L's In the range of select absolute humidity, such as 20mg/L, its generally correspond at a temperature of about 27 DEG C -28 DEG C 70%-80% it Between relative humidity.

In the case where breathing equipment is provided with heating tube, the actual temperature of air is transmitted in CPAP system can be higher than room Temperature, typical is about 29 DEG C.Therefore, the RH values at nose will be lower by 50% than same absolute humidity values.In breathing equipment not In the case of setting heating tube, the humidified air in pipe is cooled to projecting environment one to twice.When there is no heating tube, air It will be transmitted with about 22 DEG C and 70%RH (14mg/L AH).

Under optimal set, such as 10mg/L, the condensation in respiratory siphon will not occur, and be enough to lead unless room temperature drops to The air themperature of transmission is caused to drop to its dew point (for being typically transmitted to the CPAP device operated in 22 DEG C of environment 29 DEG C of air of mask, its dew point are about 16 DEG C) below.Room temperature continuous decrease causes the air themperature of transmission also to decline, and connects Heter temperature automatically to reduce to reduce under the water content of transmission to optimum level, so as to avoid condensing, but it is still most Possible near-earth reaches optimum level.

With reference to figure 13, control handle 10, control handle 10 are included according to the humidifier 4 of another example embodiment of the invention Including setting indicator 10a.Humidifier 4 includes the indicant 11 for indicating multiple setting values.Indicant 11a can be represented to be set automatically Fixed, it provides the water content of acquiescence.For example, as shown in figure 13, the automatic indicant 11a that sets can include, such as ▼.It should recognize Any other indicant can be used by knowing, such as indicant 11a can include word " optimal " or " automatic ".Remaining instruction Thing 11 can include numeral, such as 1-4 and 6-9, and it allows user to increase and reduce transmitted humidity.Indicant can also It is configured as showing relative humidity or the value of absolute humidity and temperature, such as percentage RH.In order to select default setting, user By the automatic setting indicant 11a of setting indicator 10a alignments of control handle 10.Set to adjust humidity, user will set Determine indicator 10a and be directed at any other indicant 11, or the optional position between any other indicant 11.For example, in order to drop Low humidity is set, and setting indicator 10a can be directed at any one in digital 1-4, or any setting therebetween by user.Together Sample, in order to increase humidity set, user can will set any one that indicator 10a is aligned in digital 6-9, or therebetween Any setting.It is also recognized that controller can not be knob, such as controller can include such as LCD display with aobvious Show setting, and one or more buttons to allow selection to set or change the setting of display.

As shown in figure 14, when the automatic acquiescence water content of selection, indicator 10a Alignment indicator 11a will be set, are humidified Device 4 be controlled to so that continue the heating element heater 46 of conditioning moisturer 4 so that can the water content of respiratory air flow be maintained at predetermined Default level, such as 14mg/L.As discussed in more detail below, heating element heater 46 is persistently adjusted to keep the water content of air-flow Still prevent the condensation or rain-out (rain-out) in pipe 30 simultaneously as close possible to default level.

During user sleeps, in response to the change of indoor design condition, such as environment temperature, envionmental humidity, and/or Environmental pressure, and/or the change in response to air-flow, heating element heater 46 are controlled to keep the water content of acquiescence, such as 14mg/L. For example, in patient sleeps' incipient stage (state 1), indoor design condition is probably the first temperature, the first relative humidity and first pressure. Flow generator can produce the first air-flow Q1 in patient sleeps' incipient stage.When patient is by the way that setting indicator 10a is aligned Indicant 11a and when selecting to set automatically, the heating element heater 46 of humidifier 4 is controlled so as to provide the water content of acquiescence, such as 14mg/L。

Although during state 1 is described above as starting corresponding to patient sleeps, but it would be recognized that state 1 can be with Corresponding to the time since starting respiratory system, such as in view of transmitting the pre- of effect of the air themperature on environment temperature The hot time.

During patient sleeps' process, indoor design condition, including environment temperature, envionmental humidity, and/or pressure can become For the second state (state 2).Air-flow Q2 caused by flow generator can also change during patient sleeps' process.Humidifier 4 Heating element heater 46 be controlled such that in state 2 times and change regardless of indoor design condition that the water content of air-flow is default value, example Such as 14mg/L.

Similarly, if (state 1) selects different settings to patient on startup, such as by the way that indicator 10a will be set Alignment indicator " 9 " (increasing water content from default value) or indicant " 1 " (reducing water content from default value), heating element heater 46 It is controlled to make the water content for being transferred to mask under state 2 identical with the water content for being transferred to mask in state 1.With acquiescence Centered on setting value water content setting gamut in response to monitored environment temperature, envionmental humidity, environment Pressure and the value of air-flow transmitted and it is continuous and automatically readjust, so selected setting is always adjusted to transmission choosing Fixed water content.

The first embodiment of humid control

With reference to figure 15, it is illustrated that control system and its method for breathing equipment.In S1, it is determined that being transferred to the gas of mask The temperature Tm of stream.In S2, it is determined that being transferred to the relative humidity RHm of the air-flow of mask.It should be appreciated that user can pass through example Such as using the design temperature Tm of button 14 and relative humidity RHm on flow generator 2.Alternately, user can pass through tune The control handle 10 for saving humidifier selects water content, that is, is transferred to the absolute humidity of the air-flow of mask.For example, user can be with Will setting indicator 10a alignment default setting indicants 11a.Acquiescence water content can be a nominal water content, such as 14mg/ L, or the clinical water content determined.User can also be by being directed at another indicant 11 to select by setting indicator 10a Other non-default moisture content values.In the case of humidifier and flow generator integrated connection, breathing equipment is configurable to User is allowed to select water content using the button 14 on flow generator 2 or the control handle 10 of humidifier 4.In user In the case of selecting water content, the temperature Tm and relative humidity RHm that are transferred to mask correspond to selected water content setting.

The heating element heater of air delivery tube 30 is controlled to provide predetermined temperature Tm to the air-flow for being transferred to mask.Passed in air The temperature sensor 54 of the defeated end of flexible pipe 30 detects the actual temperature of the end air-flow of air transporting hose 30.By controlling in S11 Device 40 and/or 44 determines the poor Δ Tm between predetermined temperature Tm and detected temperature, and controller 40 and/or 44 is adjusted The electric power of the heating element heater of air delivery tube 30 is supplied until the difference between predetermined temperature and the temperature detected is substantially zero.

In S3, the temperature detected by sensor 54 is input to equation with the predetermined relative humidity RHm for being transferred to mask (2) to give mask to provide absolute humidity AHm, i.e. water content.In S5, environment temperature Ta from sensor 50 and from sensor 5 envionmental humidity RHa is input into equation (1) to provide environment absolute humidity AHa in S6.In S7, it is determined that being transferred to Difference DELTA AH between the absolute humidity AHm and environment absolute humidity AHa of mask.Difference DELTA AH is that humidifier 4 must add to gas The absolute humidity of stream is so as to transmitting selected water content.

In S8, flow F and difference DELTA AH detected by flow sensor 42 or estimating are input into equation (3) it is used to determine the evaporation rate E needed for the supply water of humidifier.In S9, such as by closed-loop control discussed above, it is determined that Produce the equivalent temperature of the water temperature or humidifier heating element heater 46 needed for evaporation rate E.

In S10, the water temperature detected by sensor 48 and the difference DELTA T between the required water temperature that S9 is determined are calculated.Control Device 40 and/or 44 processed controls the heating element heater 46 of humidifier 4 until the difference between required water temperature and the water temperature detected is essentially Zero.Alternatively, control heating element heater 46 until required heating element heater temperature and detected heating element heater temperature it Between it is poor substantially zeroed.

The second embodiment of humid control

With reference to figure 16, it is illustrated that according to the control system and its method of the breathing equipment of another example embodiment.Breathing During system use, flow can for example pass throughThe effect of control algolithm changes, and the algorithm can be with Relatively slow flow is provided to change, or due to generating gas leakage, mask cushion periphery or mouth when using nasal mask The gas leakage on periphery, above-mentioned gas leakage can provide comparatively faster flow and change.If changes in flow rate is quickly, heating tube or flexible pipe And/or the control of humidifier may be not enough to quick response to prevent the condensation in pipe, because humidifier changes the temperature of supply water Degree needs the relatively long time and make it that response is slower.

As shown in figure 16, in S12, it is determined that as detected by flow sensor 42 such as estimated from blower speed The change of the flow calculated or difference DELTA F.Difference DELTA F can be by detected by compares cycle interval or being estimated to Flow determines.In S13, difference DELTA F and predetermined difference value Δ F_ptdCompare.If the difference DELTA F between periodic flow surpasses Cross predetermined amount delta F_ptd, processing advances to S14 and regulation is transferred to the gas temperature Tm of patient interface, such as by using control Device 40 and/or 44 controls heating tube 30.If difference DELTA F is no more than predetermined amount delta F_ptd, processing progress on first with implementing The foregoing description of example is identical, in S8 according to needed for absolute humidity difference DELTA AH and the detected or flow rate calculation that estimates Evaporation rate.

If difference DELTA F is negative value, i.e., changes in flow rate is reduces, then temperature Tm increases in S14.Temperature Tm can be The temperature Tm for being increased sufficiently to will be conveyed to the air of patient interface in S14 is maintained at more than saturation point.The reduction of flow is also led Cause water temperature or the temperature of heating element heater in S9 to reduce, difference DELTA T is calculated in S10, and added by the control of controller 40 and/or 44 Thermal element is to reduce the temperature set-point of humidifier.With the reduction of the temperature of humidifier supply water, absolute humidity AHm has toning Surplus without reach saturation point.

Determined in S11 as the difference DELTA between the temperature detected by temperature sensor 54 and the temperature Tm adjusted Tm, and control heating tube 30 substantially zeroed until difference DELTA Tm.By predetermined period of time, the temperature adjusted in S12 The temperature for the supply water that Tm is gradually reduced until in humidifier is reduced to the new set point of humidifier.

If identified flow difference Δ F is on the occasion of the change of i.e. flow turns to increase, and the difference in flow in S11 Value is more than predetermined difference value Δ F_ptd, then the regulation in S14 can reduce temperature Tm to keep absolute humidity AHm close full With.But patient may be found that it is uncomfortable to reduce temperature Tm.In this case, controller 40 and/or 44 can configure To ignore the increased flow difference Δ F of instruction flow.

Discussed herein humidifier and breathing equipment on example embodiment to heating humidifier it is inexperienced or New user provides the setting automatically or given tacit consent to, and it is designed as under any given use condition to the air being transmitted The water content (being nominally 14mg/L) of acquiescence is provided.During patient sleeps, if it is desired, automatic compensation will be triggered to reduce The desired value of water content is given tacit consent to so as to avoiding condensing in air hose.

Correct operation according to the humidifier of example embodiment disclosed herein need not for suitably setting and operation device and Knowledge or intervention using any user.This establishes the highly difficult user of suitable humidifier setting for those discoveries Helpful.During patient sleeps, in response to influenceing transmission air moisture content and there may be the change of the factor of condensation, Correct operation is automatically kept, and above-mentioned factor includes environment absolute humidity, environment temperature, relative humidity and pressure and transmission Air mass flow.

If desired, according to the hobby of user, their additional settings can be supplied to automatic or acquiescence to finely tune Setting.Can constantly it be readjusted with the full-scale range of setting to keep value placed in the middle to be calibrated in the case where giving tacit consent to water content, To prevent from condensing in above-mentioned air transporting hose.It means that different from the humidifier of first technology, the setting of acquiescence Always it is calibrated with the available full-scale range of setting according to the ambient condition of reality.One regional climate difference, such as Cold and wet climate, jeopardize in the device that will not be set as having a case that fixed heater obtained by another area plus Wet performance or obtainable setting.

For example, user can determine one less than acquiescence or the setting that sets automatically, such as indicant 11 is marked " 3 ", or provide the humidifying of the most comfortable higher than acquiescence or the setting set automatically, such as " 7 " that indicant 11 is marked, the setting Air-flow.Therefore it will be the most comfortable that user can select the absolute humidity of the desired air-flow for setting and being transferred to patient interface , it is determined by patient, without considering ambient condition and/or flow.

The 3rd embodiment of humidifier control

With reference to figure 17, it is illustrated that according to the control system of the breathing equipment of another example embodiment and processing.For figure The system of example embodiment and processing in 17, its S1-S8 and S11 operation and the phase of example embodiment in Figure 15 as described above Answer step operation similar.

After the evaporation rate needed for transmission predetermined moisture at a predetermined temperature is calculated in S8, in S15, it is determined that heating Component temperature threshold value, apply a fixed dutycycle when temperature is higher than the threshold value, accounting for for driving humidifier is determined in S16 Empty ratio.After the temperature threshold that heating element heater is determined in S15, judge whether the temperature of heating element heater is higher than threshold value in S17. If the temperature of heating element heater is higher than threshold value (S17：It is), then a fixed dutycycle is applied to heating element heater in S21. If the temperature of heating element heater is not higher than threshold value (S17：It is no), then the dutycycle of one 100% is applied to heating unit in S18 Part.

Whether judge in S19 as the temp of heating element detected by temp of heating element sensor 48 higher than safety behaviour Make temperature.If the temp of heating element detected is less than safe operating temperature (S19：It is no), then verify heating again in S17 Component temperature is to judge whether temp of heating element is higher than threshold value.If detected temp of heating element is higher than safety operation Temperature (S19：It is), then the dutycycle of heating element heater is set to 0% in S20, i.e. heating element heater is closed.

Humidifier can be configured to operate using the different types of container for accommodating supply water or bucket.A kind of such humidification Device is disclosed in, such as the applying date is that work is incorporated herein in entire contents in September, 2008 U. S. application of 17 days 61/097,765 For reference.There is two kinds of humidifier bucket to use, a kind of is that there is for example stainless steel base " can reuse " bucket, a kind of is to carry such as aluminium substrate " disposable " bucket.The heat exchange characteristics of two kinds of substrates are different.When heating element heater quilt When being adjusted to normal temperature, two kinds of buckets can provide different humidity output.But, it is desirable to no matter which kind of bucket is fixed on dress Put, humidity output is all anticipated that.When there is the what type of bucket of tool detection to be fixed on humidifier, this is also excellent Choosing.

Humidity exports temperature phase related to the dutycycle that electric power is provided to heating element heater, rather than being kept with heating element heater Close, it is such as described in reference diagram 17 above.Because under constant duty ratio, electric power is transmitted to heating element heater with constant rate of speed, is The main consumption of electric power is the evaporation by bucket reclaimed water in system.In fact, when in same duty cycle operation, " disposable " " can reuse " bucket has same evaporation rate.

Also described with reference to FIG. 17, example embodiment applies the electric power of constant duty ratio to heating element heater, rather than changes Variable duty cycle is to adjust the temperature of hot plate.Heating element heater is resistive load R, such as 9.6 ohm, for constant potential V, example Such as 24V, its timing limited by dutycycle is opened and closed.This is equivalent to P=V²The electrical power that/R is defined, such as 60W electrical power driving heating element heater under 100% dutycycle.

Mode that can be same with determining the temperature set-point of heating element heater in the embodiment shown in Figure 15 and 16 determines to account for Empty ratio-pass through the characteristic of device, its performance three variables of consideration：Environment absolute humidity, the gas temperature for being transferred to patient are gentle The flow of body transmission.

Two shortcomings of constant duty ratio operation overcome also by this example embodiment.First shortcoming is in humidifier Water body needs the longer time to be warmed from cold reset condition.With 100% by the estimated temperature threshold value in S15 and in S18 Dutycycle driving heating element heater reaches temperature threshold until it, is then converted in S21 for needed for desired evaporation rate Constant or fixed dutycycle it is horizontal, disadvantages mentioned above is overcome.

Second shortcoming be once water in humidifier bucket is sky, such as when water therein has all evaporated, heating unit Part is likely to be breached excessive temperature.By applying the operation of maximum safe temperature in S19, if it exceeds the maximum safe temperature, Dutycycle is set in S20 and make it that heating element heater is invalid as 0%, such disadvantages mentioned above is overcome.

Figure 17 example embodiment can also be used for the humidifier for controlling no heating tube.In the case, Huan Zhetong Cross user interface (such as knob or dial 10 and/or control button 14) the directly regulation temperature of control heating element heater and can be with Adjusted in order to comfortable, the patient for the bucket that such use can reuse can tend to setting than using disposable barrel The slightly higher temperature of patient.The dutycycle for the electric power for being supplied to heating element heater is not controlled, uses the humidification for the bucket that can be reused Device will be smaller than the humidity transmitted using the humidifier of disposable barrel, and patient is provided and less is advantageous to the comfortable of humidification Degree.

The letter that Figure 17 example embodiment similarly provides equal humidification therapy to all patients and keeps it to operate Yi Xing.

The fourth embodiment of humidifier control

In addition to controlling the dutycycle of heating element heater 46 of humidifier, controller 40 and/or 44 may be additionally configured to control The dutycycle of the heating element heater of air transporting hose or pipe 30.This permission humidifier reduces the total capacity of its power supply.Humidifier adds Thermal element can share electrical load with heating tube, so when humidifier heating element heater or heating tube may obtain its total current, Such as the transient current 2.5A under 24V, they are never activated simultaneously.Controller 40 and/or 44 calculates dutycycle to distribute to Each in humidifier and heating tube, the dutycycle so synthesized are no more than 100%.Controller 40 and/or 44 also makes humidification The heating cycle of device and heating tube is synchronous, so that they will not be overlapped.Controller 40 and/or 44 can be configured to according to air-flow The dutycycle that generator provides regularly opens and closes each heating element heater so that only has a device to be beaten in the same time Open.Such electrical management control is disclosed in, such as the applying date is in September, 2008 U. S. application of 10 days 61/095,714 In, entire contents are hereby incorporated by reference.

According to this example embodiment, input value includes：1) temperature set-point of heating tube, for example, by user interface or Climate controlling algorithm is set；2) temperature detected by heating tube, such as changed by the electrical potential difference of thermistor；3) add The type (such as 15mm or 19mm) of heat pipe；4) temperature set-point of humidifier, such as calculated by user interface or climate controlling Method is set；The temperature detected with 5) humidifier, such as changed by the electrical potential difference of thermistor.

The output valve of example embodiment includes：1) be applied to the h eating power of humidifier, for example, dutycycle from 0% to 100%；With the h eating power for 2) being applied to heating tube, such as dutycycle is from 0% to 100%.

Control also includes the use of the constant for heating tube, including：1) scale factor Pf；2) integral divisor If；With 3) spread out Raw factor D f.Similarly, control also includes the use of the constant for humidifier, including：1) scale factor Pf；2) integral divisor If；With 3) derivative factor Df.

Built-in variable includes：1) the detected humidifier temperature related to first reading, Told；2) humidifier temperature The cusum of difference, sumTd；3) the detected heating tube temperature related to first reading, Told；With 4) heating tube temperature Spend the cusum of difference, sumTd.

Controller 40 and/or 44 can include simplified proportional, integral control function：

1. the calculating temperature gap Td=temperature readings subtract first reading Told.

2. if the temperature measured is close to set point (| Td | less than 1/Pf),

A. Td is then multiplied by integral divisor And if adds the result to the accumulated total sumTd of temperature gap,

B. sumTd is otherwise reset to zero.

3. calculate dutycycle=Pf*Td+If*sumTd.

4. trim dutycycle is between 0 to 1.

Then humidifier is compared with the dutycycle of each in heating tube.

1. if the dutycycle sum of humidifier and heating tube more than 1.0, reduces one or two dutycycle.For example, Heating tube dutycycle is reduced to 0.5, humidifier dutycycle is then reduced to necessary degree.

It is used to export to humidifier control as the integer value of from 0 to 100 (instruction 100%) 2. two dutycycles are multiplied by 100 Device processed.

5th embodiment of humidifier control

According to another example embodiment, controller 40 and/or 44 can be configured to control humidification using following input value Device heating element heater and heating tube, the input value include：1) air mass flow detected by flow generator, such as more than one point The average discharge of clock；2) envionmental humidity, such as determined or detected by humidifier；3) environment temperature, such as by adding What wet device detected；If 4) be connected with heating tube, the temperature detected by heating tube, such as DEG C to represent；5) user is come from The heating tube setting of interface, such as DEG C to represent, or set automatically；6) the humidifier setting from user interface, such as automatically Setting or setting more automatic than standard " wetter " or the setting of " more dry "；7) time tag.

The output valve of control can include：1) temperature set-point of humidifier；With the temperature set-point of 2) heating tube.

Constant for control can include：1) conversion coefficient from relative humidity to absolute humidity, it includes a) three Coefficient applied to quadratic equation；With the table that temperature set point 2) is exported from desired humidifier humidity.

Table can be dot matrix, and set point can be inserted by three lines from table, including：A) one is used for average air stream The axle of amount, such as 70L/min is arrived corresponding to 10 using 12L/min as interval, it provides six points；B) one be used for it is desired definitely The axle of humidity output, such as 40mg/L is arrived by interval corresponding 0 of 8mg/L, it provides six points；And c) one be used for environment it is absolute The axle of humidity, such as 35mg/L is arrived corresponding to 0 using 5mg/L as interval, it provides eight points.

Whole matrix size provides 6x6x8=288 data point.It with 0.1 DEG C is increment from 5 that each data point, which is one, To 95 DEG C of temperature.The matrix can be, for example, as shown in Table 6 below.

Table 6

Built-in variable can include：1) environment absolute humidity；2) absolute humidity at mask target is reached；3) by humidifier The absolute humidity added；With 4) measured by first flow.

In order to produce the temperature set-point for humidifier, controller 40 and/or 44：

1. according to formula：Absolute humidity=relative humidity (1 ratio) x (a+b x temperature+c x temperature x temperature), utilize Envionmental humidity and temperature computation environment absolute humidity, wherein given constant coefficient a=7.264, b=0.0928, c= 0.0293。

2. the temperature computation target absolute humidity according to detected by heating tube.If heating tube is unavailable, ring can be used Border temperature substitutes.Function is identical with quadratic equation used in step 1, but is set now by user interface relatively wet Degree.

3. calculate the humidifier absolute humidity to be added by subtracting environment absolute humidity from target.

4. the absolute humidity, flow and environment temperature according to being added calculate the temperature set-point for humidifier.Calculate It is the Tri linear interpolation of table 6.

In order to produce the temperature set-point for heating tube：

1. the setting that default temperature set point corresponds on user interface.

2. if flow declines suddenly, temperature set-point can be adjusted in a finite time (such as 15 minutes) Somewhat (such as several DEG C) are higher by set point.

Flow generator design considers

When humidifier is installed on flow generator or is disassembled from flow generator, the use of flow generator Family interface can be, such as instruction detects humidifier or removes humidifier in one second.When heating tube is installed to humidifier Or when departing from from humidifier, the user interface of flow generator can be, such as instruction detects heating tube or shifting in one second Except heating tube.

As described above, flow generator controller can control humidifier and heating tube.Flow generator controller can be with Using the constant being stored in humidifier controller, the constant includes, such as six control parameters, the numerical value of each exist Matrix between 0 to 1 and with 0.01 precision and with 6x6x8=288 data point.Each data point can be from 5 to 95 DEG C of temperature with 0.1 DEG C of precision.

During treatment, flow generator can poll (poll) humidifier to read the heating element heater of humidifier and heating tube Temperature, for example, at least every 10 seconds once.During treatment, flow generator can be with poll (poll) humidifier to read environment Temperature and relative humidity, for example, at least every 60 seconds once.

Temperature can be passed as the numerical value for having 0.1 DEG C of precision from 5 to 95 DEG C.Relative humidity can be used as from 0 to 100 Integer value be passed.Value more than this scope should be limited in this scope.

Flow generator can calculate the dutycycle applied by humidifier, and it is (wherein 100 represent 100% 0 to 100 Dutycycle) between integer value.Flow generator can also calculate the dutycycle being applied in heating tube, and it is 0 to 100 (its In 100 represent 100% dutycycle) between integer value.Flow generator may insure the duty for humidifier and heating tube It is no more than 100 (representing 100%) than summation.

During treatment, can transmit from flow generator setting humidifier dutycycle demand, for example, at least every 3 seconds 1 time, and the demand of the setting heating tube dutycycle from flow generator can be transmitted, for example, at least every 1 second 1 time.

Humidifier design considers

When heating tube and humidifier require heating, controller 40 and/or 44 may insure that power is so assigned, and make Above-mentioned two are obtained not in same time draw power.Therefore, heating tube and humidifier can be controlled by same controller.

A suitable communication protocol can be studied so that flow generator and humidifier, power supply and any other can With the communication between devices of addition.Communication protocol can utilize, such as 16 CRC detection communication mistakes.Flow generator and plus Communication between wet device can be semiduplex so that the number of pins of Wiring connector minimizes.

Humidifier can transmit following information to FG according to instruction：1) humidifier state (normal or mistake)；2) it is relatively wet The reading of degree；3) temperature of relative humidity readings is obtained；4) in humidifier heating element heater temperature；5) humidifier heating duty Than.

Humidifier can in response to from flow generator as given an order：1) humidifier state is needed；2) humidity is needed Reading；3) temperature of moisture readings is needed；4) temperature of heating element heater in humidifier is needed；5) heating set in humidifier accounts for Empty ratio.

Humidifier can stop heating humidifier bucket, unless at least received every 10 seconds setting heating duty than need Ask.

Heating tube design considers

Humidifier can transmit following information to flow generator according to instruction：1) heating tube state, including a) heating tube Existence or non-existence, b) heating tube diameter (15mm or 19mm), and c) normal or mistake；2) temperature in heating tube；With 3) Humidifier heating duty ratio.

Humidifier can in response to from flow generator as given an order：1) heating tube state is needed；2) need to heat Temperature in pipe；3) heating power level in humidifier is set.

Humidifier can stop heat heating tube, unless for example, at least received every 1 second setting heating duty than need Ask.

Temperature transition

Controller 40 and/or 44 can utilize look-up table that measured potential on thermistor is converted into temperature, Such as DEG C to represent.Need three tables：And 2) 1) it is used for the temperature transition table of each type heating tube (such as 15mm and 19mm) (for 5 to 40 DEG C of scopes under 0.1 DEG C of precision, each of two tables has about 360 data points)；With 3) be used for The temperature transition table (for 5 to 95 DEG C of scopes under 0.1 DEG C of precision, there are about 960 data points) of humidifier.Each Can be such look-up table, it is separated to be expressed by being averaged on thermistor potential axle.

To the climate controlling constant of flow generator transmission

Humidifier can carry a table, such as table 6, and gas is transmitted it to as constant and before climate controlling starts Flow-generator.So the upgrading of humidifier can be accomplished without upgrading flow generator software in humidifier.

Indicator lamp

According to the instruction from flow generator, such as can be direct using the instruction through serial communication link, humidifier The blue LED with a brown color of control one.Humidifier can refer to according to the instruction control received from flow generator Show lamp, each instruction can include following information：1) color-blueness or brown color；2) brightness-bright, dim or closing；With 3) Gradual change-yes/no.

If gradual change is：1) it is that brightness should be smoothly on transition three seconds；Or it is 2) no, brightness should be transformed into new It is horizontal.Two indicator lamps of humidifier can the change of gradual change simultaneously, such as can be same for a uniform gradual change, flow generator When send two instructions-one and instruct for an indicator lamp gradual change to be closed, another instruction by another indicator lamp gradually Become ground to open.

Humidifier controls sixth embodiment

May be in three kinds of situations with the patient for the humidifier sleep for being set as transmitting the moisture less than saturation degree in pipe Lower experience in-tube condensation：1) environment temperature declines, and such air is cooled in pipe less than its dew point；2) ambient humidity increase, The air humidity increase of humidifier is so left, is then cooled in pipe less than its dew point；Decline with 3) flow, such as when certainly When dynamic setting reduces disposal pressure, humidifier increases more humidity to air, and then air is cooled in pipe less than its dew Point.

Being supplied to patient to handle the suggestion of in-tube condensation or rain-out problem at present includes making pipe in bed under articles for use Fang Yanshen is to reduce in pipe cooling and/or humidifier is set in into a relatively low heating setpoint point.These methods cause examining After the change for having considered night, patient is caused entirely to receive less moisture at night in order to farther apart from dew point.

As described above, example embodiment, which provides, performs climate controlling so that the air of predetermined temperature and humidity is transferred into pipe Mask end.But the climate controlling with reference to described in first example embodiment requires to have temperature sensor in pipe to monitor pipe The temperature of interior air.Heating tube with temperature detection adds cost, therefore with traditional, i.e., the system of non-heated pipe The middle alleviation that condensation is provided to patient is highly advantageous.

With reference to figure 18, according to another example embodiment, it is being heated and without the transmitted Air Temperature of measurement Climate controlling is provided in the pipe of degree, but the air themperature is estimated from the reading of environment temperature sensor in S22.In ring Heating source in border temperature, air mass flow and equipment, for example, power supply, motor, electronics or humidifier heating element heater do not sympathize with Under condition, based on the estimation is the characteristic of the temperature difference between the environment temperature reported and the air themperature transmitted.

As described above, comparative example 1 (table 2) shows the example embodiment of above-mentioned reference chart 15 and 16, it is definitely wet in environment In the case that degree to mask temperature Tm without change and not being controlled, to response caused by the change of environment temperature. According to this example embodiment, without measuring but have estimated transmitted air themperature Tm, one is shown in following table 7 It is individual to be used to adjust water temperature to change the equivalency tables of ambient humidity, its selection for three different ambient air temperatures.

Table 7

This example embodiment is characterised by that transmitted air themperature is estimation so that device, which does not detect pipeline, is It is no to completely cut off with environment temperature, such as pass through cloth bedcover or bed clothes.Insulation can be passed by the cooling reduced in pipeline to increase The temperature of defeated air.In order to reduce the possibility of condensation, it can be assumed that pipeline is not insulated, therefore the air ratio transmitted is set Will be colder and closer to its dew point when putting insulation.

It should be appreciated that the system of the example embodiment will be suitably responsive to environment temperature and ambient humidity and air stream Change while amount.The system of this example embodiment changes regardless of environment temperature, humidity and flow, and it is the whole night to pipe Road provides the protection of condensation-resistant.The system of this example embodiment also provides the fully automated control to humidifier.Using one The default value of the predetermined relative humidity of transmitted gas, patient do not need conditioning moisturer again.This example embodiment is System provides the setting of humidity also by user interface, and it can be converted into the predetermined relative humidity of transmission gas.

Unlike other example embodiments including heating tube, this example embodiment does not transmit warmer air Or as the higher humidity entrained by warmer air.This example embodiment does not allow patient to select transmitted air yet Temperature.If pipeline is insulated, this example embodiment will not also improve transmitted humidity.Changed by user interface wet Degree setting can overcome this point.

Being controlled according to the humidifier of this example embodiment allows breathing equipment to be provided with standard pipe rather than heating tube Road, therefore reduce system cost.

Software or hardware (for example, ASIC) can also be fully utilized to perform in above-mentioned example embodiment, and such humidifier can It is configured to operate the goods and materials cost without increase equipment as any one in these three example embodiments.

Due to adding comfortableness, reducing the possibility that dry/pain occurs for throat, and/or pass through and automatically optimization is provided Humidification setting improves the convenience used, therefore the humidifier disclosed herein according to example embodiment improves user's Compliance.

The problem of indoor environment temperature and flow are only followed the trail of to the humidifier of first technology, it is real according to demonstration disclosed herein The humidifier for applying example also provides a solution method, i.e., such a humidifier can be followed the trail of due to the people when formulating initial setting For inappropriate humidity output caused by mistake/confusion.The user of this humidifier is not known for any given in the case of Which type of lower setting is horizontal closest to optimal humidifying, particularly when they are undergone compared with their usual environment/weather During great change, for example, in travelling.

According to the humidifier of example embodiment disclosed herein and breathing equipment measuring environment relative humidity and pressure (height Compensation), and environment temperature is so as to relative to the wet of the system for the first technology for not detecting ambient humidity and pressure raising transmission Spend horizontal accuracy.Inexpensive humidity and the availability of pressure sensor now to monitor on CPAP device in recent years Above-mentioned additional parameter also becomes feasible and can realized.

The lasting mouth leaks detected will be done according to the humidifier of example embodiment disclosed herein and breathing equipment Go out response, but be different from first technological system, it exports amendment humidity to optimize humidity and compactibility, rather than only arbitrarily sets Fixed one can not possibly be close to optimal setting.

Although it is combined be presently considered to be it is most viable invention has been described with preferred embodiment, can be with Understand be the invention is not restricted to the disclosed embodiments, on the contrary, this invention is intended to cover it is various be included in the present invention spirit and In the range of change and equivalent arrangements.In addition, above-mentioned various embodiments can also perform with reference to other embodiment, for example, one Some schemes of embodiment can be combined with some schemes of another embodiment to realize another embodiment.Further, it is each The individual individually part of feature or any given component can form an additional embodiment.In addition, any given component Each separate part, any given component single part one or more parts, and from one or more embodiments The various combinations of part can include one or more ornamental design features.In addition, though the present invention is to the trouble with OSA Person has special application, but it would be recognized that patient (such as congestive heart disease, diabetes, disease with Other diseases State obesity, apoplexy, bariatric surgery etc.) it can be obtained an advantage from above-mentioned teaching.In addition, above-mentioned teaching is for patient and non-medical The non-patient of application has applicability.

In this description, word " including (comprising) " should be understood the implication of its open to the outside world, i.e., " includes (including) meaning of the meaning ", and be not limited to the implication of its " closing ", i.e. " only by ... form ".Corresponding implication Suitable for the corresponding word " including (comprise) " occurred, " including (comprised) " and " including (comprises)”。

It will be further appreciated that to the reference at this to any formerly technology, unless the contrary indication, do not represent and hold It is related to the present invention known to one of skill in the art to recognize this formerly technology.

Claims

1. a kind of humidifier for breathing equipment, it is used for the humidifying air stream transportation of breathable gas to patient, described to add Wet device includes：

Humidifier chamber, its be configured as storage to humidify can respiratory air flow supply water, the humidifier chamber include be configured To heat the first heating element heater of the supply water；

Humidity sensor, its humidity for being used to detect surrounding air and the signal for producing indicative for environments humidity；

First temperature sensor, its temperature for being used to detect surrounding air and the signal for producing indicative for environments temperature；

Controller, its be configured as controlling first heating element heater with to can respiratory air flow predetermined absolute humidity, predetermined is provided Temperature and/or predetermined relative humidity；And

Second temperature sensor, it is used for the temperature for detecting first heating element heater, wherein the controller is configured as controlling The dutycycle of first heating element heater is made with so that the controller is configured as the first temp of heating element and is less than threshold value The dutycycle of application 100% is to first heating element heater during temperature, and works as first temp of heating element higher than described Apply fixed duty cycle during threshold temperature to first heating element heater.

2. humidifier according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that providing the predetermined absolute humidity institute at a predetermined temperature The threshold temperature and the fixed duty cycle are determined after the evaporation rate needed.

3. humidifier according to claim 2, wherein flow and definitely of the evaporation rate by the breathable gas The change of humidity determines.

4. humidifier according to any one of claim 1 to 3, further comprise detection can respiratory air flow volume stream Quantity sensor.

5. humidifier according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein the humidifier further comprises storage supply water Bucket, the bucket includes thermal-conductivity substrate.

6. humidifier according to claim 5, grasped wherein the humidifier is configured with two kinds of bucket Make, each type of bucket includes the substrate with different heat exchange characteristics.

7. humidifier according to claim 6, the buckets of described two types include bucket with stainless steel base and with The bucket of aluminium substrate.

8. humidifier according to any one of claim 1 to 7, wherein the controller is configured as the first heating unit Apply 0% dutycycle when part temperature is higher than safe operating temperature to first heating element heater.

9. humidifier according to any one of claim 1 to 8, further comprise air transporting hose, it include by with It is set to and is connected to the first end of humidifier outlet, is configured to connect to the second end of patient interface, and is configured as heating institute State the second heating element heater of the humidifying air-flow in transporting hose.

10. humidifier according to claim 9, wherein the controller is configured as controlling second heating element heater Dutycycle.

11. humidifier according to claim 10, wherein the dutycycle of first heating element heater and second heating The dutycycle sum of element is no more than 100%.

12. the humidifier according to any one of claim 1 to 11, optionally set wherein the humidifier provides user Fixed, it will provide the automatic transmission of predetermined moisture content at patient interface.

13. the humidifier according to any one of claim 1 to 12, wherein being supplied to first heating element heater 100% dutycycle can be obtained to be applied to the 100% of the h eating power of humidifier.

14. a kind of breathing equipment for the humidifying air-flow that breathable gas is provided to patient, including：

Produce can respiratory air flow flow generator；And

According to the humidifier described in any one of claim 1-13.

15. a kind of breathing equipment, including：

Humidifier；

Heat air delivery tube；And

Controller, its dutycycle for being configured as controlling heating tube is so that the dutycycle of synthesis is no more than 100% and/or made Electric power is received when the heating element heater of humidifier and the heating tube difference.

16. breathing equipment according to claim 15, wherein user interface are configured as instruction and detect heating tube or shifting Except heating tube.

17. the breathing equipment according to any one of claim 15 to 16, further comprise flow generator, the air-flow Generator is configured as at least every 10 seconds once poll humidifier to read the heating element heater of humidifier and heating tube temperature.

18. breathing equipment according to claim 17, wherein the flow generator is configured as at least every 60 seconds one Secondary ground poll humidifier is to read environment temperature and relative humidity.

19. the breathing equipment according to any one of claim 17 to 18, wherein the flow generator be configured as to Few demand every 3 seconds 1 time transmission setting humidifier dutycycle.

20. the breathing equipment according to any one of claim 17 to 19, wherein the flow generator be configured as to Few demand every 1 second 1 time transmission setting heating tube dutycycle.

21. the breathing equipment according to any one of claim 17 to 20, wherein the flow generator is configured as profit Communication mistake is detected with 16 CRC communication protocols.

22. the breathing equipment according to any one of claim 17 to 21, wherein the flow generator and the humidification Communication between device is semiduplex.

23. the breathing equipment according to any one of claim 17 to 22, wherein the humidifier is configured as according to finger Order transmits following information to flow generator：1) humidifier state (normal or mistake)；2) reading of relative humidity；3) phase is obtained To the temperature of moisture readings；4) in humidifier heating element heater temperature；5) humidifier heating duty ratio.

24. the breathing equipment according to any one of claim 17 to 23, wherein the humidifier is configured as according to finger Order transmits following information to flow generator：1) heating tube state, including a) heating tube existence or non-existence, b) heating tube it is straight Footpath (such as 15mm or 19mm), and c) normal or mistake；2) temperature in heating tube；With 3) humidifier heating duty ratio.