WO2023084492A1 - Moisture detection and management in a gases supply system - Google Patents

Moisture detection and management in a gases supply system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023084492A1
WO2023084492A1 PCT/IB2022/060952 IB2022060952W WO2023084492A1 WO 2023084492 A1 WO2023084492 A1 WO 2023084492A1 IB 2022060952 W IB2022060952 W IB 2022060952W WO 2023084492 A1 WO2023084492 A1 WO 2023084492A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electrically conductive
conductive element
humidifier
configurations
conduit
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IB2022/060952
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Alan SEEKUP
Elmo Benson Stoks
Eugena Ming-Yee AU
Eric Deverick
Po-Yen Liu
Ivan Chih-Fan TENG
Nimansha BUDHIRAJA
Naeem Bin RAZALI
Luke Morgan GEMMELL
Ree Isaac SUROWIEZ
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Original Assignee
Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd filed Critical Fisher and Paykel Healthcare Ltd
Priority to CA3238983A priority Critical patent/CA3238983A1/en
Priority to JP2024529253A priority patent/JP2024540460A/ja
Priority to EP22892263.9A priority patent/EP4433125A4/en
Priority to KR1020247019905A priority patent/KR20240120723A/ko
Priority to AU2022386787A priority patent/AU2022386787A1/en
Priority to CN202280087277.5A priority patent/CN118871153A/zh
Priority to MX2024005854A priority patent/MX2024005854A/es
Priority to US18/710,003 priority patent/US20250010015A1/en
Publication of WO2023084492A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023084492A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
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    • G01K13/024—Thermometers specially adapted for specific purposes for measuring temperature of moving fluids or granular materials capable of flow of moving gases
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    • G01N27/02—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance
    • G01N27/22—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance
    • G01N27/223—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating impedance by investigating capacitance for determining moisture content, e.g. humidity
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Definitions

  • a downside to providing humidified gases through a conduit is the potential for condensation to form within the conduit.
  • other types of moisture may also be introduced into a conduit from the patient, an optional heat and moisture exchanger (HME), an optional nebulizer, and/or the environment (such as via a room-entraining ventilator, or through a liquid- or vapor-permeable conduit wall, for example).
  • Moisture may include bodily fluids such as saliva, blood mucus, or the like.
  • This application may refer to water as an example, but it will be appreciated that water may be replaced with moisture, more generally, or any other liquid as well.
  • a change in temperature of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element can be substantially linear.
  • the signal can be indicative of a temperature difference between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
  • the second electrically conductive element can measure the signal.
  • the signal can correspond to a resistance of the second electrically conductive element, the resistance of the second electrically conductive element varying with the temperature of the second electrically conductive element.
  • the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element can further comprise a thermistor.
  • the present disclosure provides a method of detecting moisture in a conduit utilized to transport humidified gases, the method comprising providing two electrically conductive elements located within, around or on the conduit and measuring a temperature or a change in temperature to indicate a measure of moisture or condensate within the conduit. [0118] In some configurations, the method uses the conduit of any of conduit implementations disclosed herein. [0119] In some configurations, the method uses the humidifier system of any humidifier system disclosed herein.
  • the cartridge can be removably attachable to the humidifier and the controller can be configured to, in use, measure a signal indicative of a resistance of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element of the removable inspiratory conduit.
  • the present disclosure provides a cartridge for use with a humidifier in a respiratory or surgical humidification system, the cartridge comprising one or more sensors for sensing a property of a gases flow in a removable humidification chamber of the humidifier; a first electrical connector configured to make an electrical connection with a corresponding electrical connector of the humidifier; a second electrical connector configured to make an electrical connection with a corresponding electrical connector of an inspiratory conduit removably engageable with the cartridge, wherein the second electrical connector can comprise at least a first electrical terminal or pad and a second electrical terminal or pad configured to make an electrical coupling with a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element extending along at least a portion of a length of the inspiratory conduit; and a controller communicatively coupled with the one or more sensors and the first electrically conductive element and the second electrical connectors.
  • the conduit can further comprise a resonant circuit wherein an inductive element is electrically connected in parallel with a capacitive element.
  • one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element can be configured to be electrically connected in parallel with a resonant circuit wherein an inductive element is electrically connected in parallel with a capacitive element.
  • the resonant circuit can be external to the conduit.
  • the resonant circuit can be tuned to exhibit resonant behavior when excited by a signal.
  • the at least two portions can be arranged within the tube wall and can be pneumatically coupled with the lumen of the conduit. [0174] In some configurations, the at least two portions that can be electrically disconnected from one another can be in series with one another. [0175] In some configurations, the at least two portions that can be electrically disconnected from one another can be in parallel with one another. [0176] In some configurations, the conduit can further comprise a controller configured to determine a presence and/or indication of moisture within the conduit by determining a resistance or change in resistance. [0177] In some configurations, the controller can be one or more microprocessors.
  • the present disclosure provides a conduit used with a respiratory or surgical gases supply system, the conduit comprising a first electrically conductive element; a second electrically conductive element, wherein one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are configured to provide a measurement of a temperature or thermal conductivity property indicative of a presence or amount of moisture in a conduit.
  • the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element can further comprise a thermistor.
  • the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element can further comprise a diode.
  • the diode can be electrically connected in parallel with the thermistor.
  • the signal can be indicative of a time constant or a resonant frequency of the electrically conductive element.
  • the signal can be indicative of a change in a time constant or a change in a resonant frequency of the electrically conductive element.
  • the value can be indicative of moisture in the conduit corresponds to an inductance of the conduit.
  • the value indicative of moisture in the conduit can correspond to a change in inductance of the conduit.
  • the humidifier system can further comprise a resonant circuit wherein an inductive element is electrically connected in parallel with a capacitive element.
  • the controller can comprise one or more microprocessors.
  • the present disclosure provides a conduit used with a respiratory or surgical gases supply system, the conduit comprising an electrically conductive element, wherein the electrically conductive element is configured to provide a measurement of a temperature or thermal conductivity property indicative of a presence or amount of moisture in a conduit.
  • the electrically conductive element can further comprise a thermistor.
  • the electrically conductive element can further comprise a diode.
  • the diode can be electrically connected in parallel with the thermistor.
  • the controller may determine the presence of a predetermined amount of water in a vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material of the component of the system based on a comparison between the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture present in the component and at least one water amount threshold.
  • the predetermined amount of water may optionally be indicative of saturation of the vapor and/or liquid permeable material.
  • the controller may control the heater of the humidifier and/or the heater of the conduit to achieve a humidity target.
  • the humidity target may include a dew point target, an absolute target, and/or a relative humidity target.
  • the controller may determine the at least one value indicative of moisture based on a comparison of a measurement of the first electrically conductive element and/or the second electrically conductive element.
  • the signal may be indicative of a temperature of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element.
  • the signal may be indicative of a change in temperature of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element.
  • the controller may determine at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture present in the component based on the at least one sensor signal, and determine a water-out condition of the humidification chamber based on the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture present in the component.
  • no water-out condition may be determined in response to detecting an increase in the amount of moisture and/or humidity in the component.
  • no water-out condition may be determined in response to the increase in the amount of moisture and/or humidity in the component being above a threshold.
  • a water-out condition may be determined in response to detecting no increase in the amount of moisture and/or humidity in the component.
  • the controller may determine the water-out condition subsequent to increasing the power to the heater plate and/or reducing the power to the at least one heater wire in response to the predetermined amount of moisture and/or humidity being determined to be below a threshold.
  • a humidifier system may deliver a flow of gases to a user.
  • the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be spirally wound about at least a length of the conduit. [0491] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be spirally wound within, through, or around the conduit. [0492] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element form part of conduit walls. [0493] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element may be a sensing wire. [0494] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element may be at least one heater wire. [0495] In some configurations, the second electrically conductive element may be a sensing wire.
  • the humidifier may provide a humidifier that may heat and humidify the gases, a conduit to transport the gases from the humidifier to the user, at least one sensor that may output at least one sensor signal based on an amount of moisture present in a component of the system, and a controller to control operation of the humidifier.
  • the controller may determine a value indicative of the amount of moisture present in the component based on the at least one sensor signal, and control a function of the gases source to reduce moisture in response to a predetermined amount of moisture determined to be present in the component based on the value.
  • the function may include reducing a tidal volume, increasing an inspiratory rise time, reducing inspiratory to expiratory ratio, increasing an inlet gases temperature, and/or reducing an amount of entrained air and/or switching to a wall or bottle gases source.
  • the gases source may include a ventilator.
  • the gases source may include a glow generator.
  • the conduit may include at least a first electrically conductive element and a second electrically conductive element. The at least one sensor signal may include a signal generated using one or more of the at least first and second electrically conductive elements.
  • the second electrically conductive element may be at least one heater wire.
  • the at least one signal may be indicative of a capacitance between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
  • the at least one signal may be indicative of a change in capacitance between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
  • the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be separated by a distance that may allow for a capacitive charge to be sensed between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
  • the at least one signal may be indicative of a temperature of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element. [0553] In some configurations, the at least one signal may be indicative of a change in temperature of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element. [0554] In some configurations, the at least one signal may be indicative of a thermal conductivity of a medium between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element, or the at least one signal may be indicative of a thermal conductivity of a medium proximal to the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element.
  • the dielectric material may be vapor or liquid permeable.
  • the vapor permeable dielectric material may allow for evaporation of water to ambient air while inhibiting passage of liquid water and breathing gases to ambient air.
  • the controller may determine the at least one value indicative of moisture based on a comparison of a measurement of the first electrically conductive element and/or the second electrically conductive element.
  • the at least one signal may be indicative of a temperature of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element.
  • the controller may output an alarm in response to detecting the presence of skin in close vicinity or contact with the conduit.
  • the controller may output the alarm in response to detecting the presence of skin in close vicinity or contact with the conduit continuously or intermittently for a predefined duration.
  • the predefined duration may be variable based on an expected conduit surface temperature.
  • the conduit may include a dielectric material between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
  • the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are spirally wound about at least a length of the conduit.
  • the method may further include determining that the predetermined level of moisture may be present in the component based on comparing the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture present in the component and at least one threshold. [0625] In some configurations, the predetermined level of moisture may be determined to be present in response to the at least one the at least one value being above the at least one threshold. [0626] In some configurations, the predetermined level of moisture may be determined to be present in response to the at least one value being below the at least one threshold.
  • the method may further include determining the presence of a predetermined amount of water in a vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material of the component of the system based on a comparison between the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture present in the component and at least one water amount threshold.
  • the predetermined amount of water may optionally be indicative of saturation of the vapor and/or liquid permeable material.
  • the method may further include controlling the heater of the humidifier and/or the heater of the conduit to achieve a humidity target.
  • the humidity target may include a dew point target, an absolute target, and/or a relative humidity target.
  • the method may further include decreasing the relative humidity of the flow of gases by changing the at least one operating parameter of the heater of the humidifier.
  • the changing includes decreasing or limiting or disabling the relative humidity of the flow of gases.
  • the at least one operating parameter may include a heater temperature set point and/or a power to a heater.
  • the method may further include decreasing the relative humidity target of the flow of gases by changing at least one operating parameter of the heater of the conduit. In some configurations, the changing may include increasing the operating parameter.
  • the humidifier system may further include a signal generator wherein the controller may determine that at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit based at least in part on a magnitude and/or phase of the at least one signal.
  • the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit may correspond to an inductance of the conduit.
  • the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit corresponds to a change in inductance of the conduit.
  • the predetermined level of moisture present in the component may be indicative of a predetermined amount of water in a vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material of the component of the system.
  • the method may further include increasing a temperature of the liquid permeable material via a heater of the conduit to increases an evaporation rate of liquid water in the liquid permeable material to atmosphere.
  • the method may further include controlling a relative humidity gradient between the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material and the atmosphere to be greater than a relative humidity gradient between the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material and a lumen of the conduit.
  • the humidifier system may include a moisture draining assembly configured to collect condensate and/or transport the condensate back towards the humidification chamber.
  • the moisture draining assembly may include a water trap configured to collect the condensate.
  • the moisture draining assembly may include at least one valve electronically coupled to the controller. The method may further include actuating the at least one valve based on the at least one sensor signal.
  • the method may further include actuating the at least one valve into an open position in response to a predetermined level of moisture being determined to be present in the component.
  • the method may further include actuating the at least one valve into an open position in response to a predetermined level of condensate being determined to be present in the component.
  • the method may further include determining the presence of a predetermined level of moisture in the conduit based on the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit in response to the conduit being connected to a humidifier and/or prior to operation of the humidifier. [0730] In some configurations, the method may further include determining the presence of the predetermined level of moisture in the conduit based on a comparison between a threshold and the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit. [0731] In some configurations, the method may further include determining the presence of the predetermined level of moisture in the conduit when the conduit may be first connected to the humidifier.
  • the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be spirally wound about at least a length of the conduit. [0770] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be spirally wound within, through, or around the conduit. [0771] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element form part of conduit walls. [0772] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element may be a sensing wire. [0773] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element may be at least one heater wire. [0774] In some configurations, the second electrically conductive element may be a sensing wire.
  • the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit corresponds to an inductance of the conduit.
  • the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit may correspond to a change in inductance of the conduit.
  • a method of delivering a flow of gases to a user according to the present disclosure may use a controller of a humidifier that may be part of a humidifier system.
  • the humidifier system may include the humidifier to heat and humidify the gases, a first sensor associated with a first location, a second sensor associated with a second location, and a controller to control operation of the humidifier.
  • the first sensor may output at least one first sensor signal based on an amount of moisture present at the first location.
  • the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be spirally wound about at least a length of the conduit. [0818] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be spirally wound within, through, or around the conduit. [0819] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element form part of conduit walls. [0820] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element may be a sensing wire. [0821] In some configurations, the first electrically conductive element may be at least one heater wire. [0822] In some configurations, the second electrically conductive element may be a sensing wire.
  • the at least one signal may be indicative of a resistance of the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element.
  • the first electrically conductive element or the second electrically conductive element may include at least two portions that are electrically disconnected from one another.
  • the at least two portions may be in series with one another.
  • the at least two portions may be in parallel with one another.
  • the humidifier system may further include a signal generator. The method may further include determining the at least one value indicative of the amount of moisture in the conduit based at least in part on a magnitude and/or phase of the at least one signal.
  • the method may further include increasing power to a heater plate of the humidifier and/or reduce power to at least one heater wire of a conduit configured to provide the gases from the humidifier to the user so as to increase humidity and/or increase moisture.
  • the increased moisture may be condensate or water in vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material.
  • the method may further include determining the water-out condition subsequent to increasing the power to the heater plate and/or reducing the power to the at least one heater wire in response to the predetermined amount of moisture and/or humidity being determined to be below a threshold.
  • the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element may be separated by a distance that may allow for a capacitive charge to be sensed between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
  • the humidifier system may include a dielectric material located between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.
  • the dielectric material may be vapor or liquid permeable.
  • the vapor permeable dielectric material may allow for evaporation of water to ambient air while inhibiting passage of liquid water and breathing gases to ambient air.
  • condition can include a reverse flow condition.
  • the measured condensate metric not satisfying the expected condensate metric can include a condensate level of a dryline connected to the medical humidifier and a gases source is greater than a condensate level of the breathing tube.
  • outputting the condition can include outputting a reverse flow alarm.
  • the condition can include the medical humidifier having just started up or is malfunctioning.
  • the condition of the medical humidifier can include no presence of flow or water out.
  • the method can include resuming a state or normal control in response to the measured condensate metric satisfies the expected condensate metric.
  • the condition can include an alarm that the breathing tube is contaminated.
  • the humidifier may have been just powered on.
  • the method can include powering off the heater plate and ensuring the heater plate is at a substantially cool temperature.
  • the method can include raising a circuit moisture alarm when condensate is detected.
  • the respiratory assistance apparatus may be a ventilator, a continuous, variable, or bi-level positive airway pressure (PAP) system or provide another form of respiratory therapy, such as, for example, high flow therapy.
  • PAP positive airway pressure
  • Gases may be transported in the breathing circuit of Fig. 1 as follows: dry or relatively dry gases pass from a gases source 105 through a dry line tube or supply tube 157 to a humidifier 107, which humidifies the dry gases.
  • the gases source 105 may be, for example, a ventilator or a blower.
  • the gases source 105 may be separated from the humidifier 107 or integrated with the humidifier 107 in a single housing.
  • the examples in the present disclosure describe a heater plate as a heater of the humidifier and a heater wire as a heater of the tube. It will be appreciated that other heaters of the humidifier are possible (e.g. a heater wire, or other type of heating element) and other heaters of the conduit are possible (e.g. another type of heater element).
  • the humidifier 107 may also include electronic controls. In Fig. 1, for example, the humidifier 107 includes an electronic, analog, or digital controller 125.
  • the controller 125 may be a microprocessor-based controller executing computer software commands stored in associated memory.
  • the connector 161 may further comprise additional wires or conductors configured to detect moisture within the inspiratory tube 159, alone or in combination with one or more of the sensor or heater wires 173, 175.
  • Corresponding moisture detection terminals or pads 171 can be connected to the additional wires or conductors.
  • the additional wires or conductors may be electrically coupled with the ‘identification’ terminals or pads in place of the identification resistor or other identification element, and may optionally have a predetermined resistance (or a resistance within a predetermined range), capacitance, or resonant frequency unique to each tube model. This arrangement provides the dual functionality of identification and moisture detection.
  • a temperature sensor electrically coupled to the pair of embedded sensing wires 173, forming the sensing loop, and the heating wires 175 are also electrically coupled with each other, forming the heating loop.
  • the additional wire(s) or conductor(s) of the connector 161 described above may similarly be electrically coupled at the distal end of the tube, although this may not be required in at least some implementations.
  • the cartridge 155 may further comprise a connector and/or cable configured for connection to a corresponding connector of the expiratory conduit (147 of Fig. 1A) to supply power to expiratory heating wire(s).
  • the surgical instrument can be a scope, electrocautery tool, or any other instrument.
  • the surgical instrument can be coupled to an imaging device, which can have a screen.
  • the imaging device can be part of a surgical stack, which can include a plurality of surgical tools and/or apparatuses.
  • the humidifier chamber 205 can optionally or preferably be in serial connection to a gases supply 9 via a further conduit 204.
  • the gases supply 9 can provide one or more insufflation gases, such as carbon dioxide, to the humidifier chamber 205.
  • the gases supply can provide a continuous gases flow or an intermittent gases flow.
  • the gases can be humidified as they are passed through the humidifier chamber 205, which can contain a volume of water 220.
  • the second elongate member 305 acts as structural support for the first elongate member 303.
  • the second elongate member 305 can optionally be wider at the base (proximal the lumen 307) and narrower at the top.
  • the second elongate member 305 can be generally triangular in shape, generally T-shaped, or generally Y-shaped. However, any shape that meets the contours of the corresponding first elongate member 303 is suitable.
  • the second elongate member 305 can be flexible, to facilitate bending of the tube.
  • the second elongate member 305 can be less flexible than the first elongate member 303.
  • the severed heating elements may also be electrically coupled with each other to form a heating circuit.
  • the heating elements and/or sensing wires may be terminated by respective heating and/or sensing terminals in the patient end connector, for electrical coupling with another component of the conduit system.
  • the severed heating elements and sensing wires may be electrically coupled with respective heating and sensing terminals integrated within the chamber end connector.
  • the chamber end connector may be configured for simultaneous pneumatic coupling with the outlet of the humidification chamber 129 and electrical coupling with the humidifier 107.
  • the chamber end connector may comprise an electrical socket, for example, for independent pneumatic and electrical coupling with the humidification chamber 129 and humidifier 107, respectively.
  • an elongate member such as T-shaped second elongate member 305 or other shaped member, can be included which is water permeable or made of wicking materials in order to improve capacitive measurements in the presence of condensate as described further below.
  • One or more conductive materials (referred to herein as “elements,” “conductive elements” or “filaments”) can be disposed in the second elongate member 305 for heating and/or sensing the gases flow.
  • a pitch of the helically wound conduit (for example, the pitch of the first and second elongate members) can be varied (for example, decreased) in order to enhance a capacitive measurement in some areas of the conduit, as described in further detail below.
  • the tube may be provided with one or more additional wires or conductive elements, referred to generally as capacitive wires, provided specifically for the purpose of providing a capacitive coupling with another wire or circuit.
  • the capacitive wire(s) need not necessarily form a closed loop or circuit like the heating and sensing wires generally will.
  • the capacitive wire(s) also need not necessarily extend the full length of the tube.
  • sensing wires may be provided in a separate second elongate member 305 to the heating elements and moisture detection elements or wires in a quadruple helix tube.
  • the dielectric constant between two electrically isolated conductive elements will differ depending on the distance between the elements as well as the existence or amount of condensate on the inner wall surface of the conduit (or, in the case of a vapor permeable wall material, the amount of individual water molecules that move into the wall).
  • dielectric constant and capacitance are positively related.
  • the wires may be provided side-by-side in an alternating or interleaved arrangement, that is in the order heating- sensing-heating-sensing.
  • Other arrangements such as heating-sensing-sensing-heating or heating-heating-sensing-sensing, may alternatively be used.
  • Fig. 4B schematically illustrates a second example where the bead 405 is either vapor permeable and/or fluid permeable. It has been found that the vapor permeable material enhances the effect of condensation upon the parasitic capacitive coupling between the wires, so that it can be detected with greater precision.
  • a bead 405 can be made from, for example, one or more of an activated perfluorinated polymer material having extreme hydrophilic properties (such as NAFION branded products), hydrophilic thermoplastic, woven treated fabric exhibiting breathable characteristics, a hydrophilic polyester block copolymer (such as SYMPATEX branded products), a breathable thermoplastic copolyester (TPC) (more specifically a breathable copolyester with a polyether soft segment) (including materials such as ARNITEL ® VT 3108 or those with similar or greater breathable properties), or any other materials which allows evaporation of water vapor to ambient air while inhibiting or blocking passage of liquid water and breathing gases to ambient.
  • an activated perfluorinated polymer material having extreme hydrophilic properties such as NAFION branded products
  • hydrophilic thermoplastic, woven treated fabric exhibiting breathable characteristics such as SYMPATEX branded products
  • TPC breathable thermoplastic copolyester
  • TPC more specifically a breathable cop
  • a capacitance measurement can be performed by generating a signal which passes through the tube along one or more elements. This is used to detect and measure, by a detector 507, a time constant dependent on the inherent capacitance “C” between that element and one or more adjacent elements. This process is schematically represented in Fig.5. A supplied power step change or pulse, or a series of pulses, can be used as the generated signal to measure the change in capacitance. These measurements can either coincide or be interleaved with either or both of temperature sensing measurements or heating wire usage. Capacitance can also be measured by any known method of measuring or determining capacitance. [1081] Fig.
  • the tube can be configured such that C tube is much larger than the L tube . In some implementations, the tube can be configured such that L tube is much larger than the C tube .
  • an alternative device or circuit for measuring the resonant frequency may be employed instead of either the exciter module 615, the controller 617, or the combination thereof.
  • Example alternatives include any of the following or similar devices and circuits, or combination thereof: digital signal processors and analog operational amplifier circuits.
  • the moisture detection method may be more different from the capacitance- based approach, in part because such an approach requires active transmission of RF signals to function, and the relationship(s) between RF signal propagation qualities and moisture presence are different from those of electrical reactance (for example, capacitance and inductance).
  • the signal measurement component 1007 measures whatever signal is on the thermistor wire 1013.
  • the heater wire 1011 and thermistor wire 1013 are both electrically connected to the sensor cartridge 1001 and/or the humidifier. As such, both the heater wire 1011 and the thermistor wire 1013 form loop antennas.
  • Fig. 10B is an example schematic of an RF attenuation-based condensation detection system similar to Fig.10A. Again, the heater wire 1011 is used as the transmitter and the thermistor wire 1013 is used as the receiver. However, in the example implementation of Fig. 10B switches 1004, 1008 are employed to disconnect one end of each of the heater wire 1011 and the thermistor wire 1013 from the humidifier or other parts of the sensor cartridge 1001.
  • monopole antennas are formed.
  • the monopole antennas formed by the heater wire 1011 and the thermistor wire 1013 are quarter-wave monopole antennas.
  • the switches 1004, 1008 are located in any one of the following: a heater base, a sensor cartridge, the conduit, an external component, or an intermediate connector. A neo-natal bubble tube with zone heating is an example intermediate connector.
  • the heater wire 1011 is adjacent to the thermistor wire 1013. In some implementations, the heater wire 1011 and the thermistor wire 1013 are not adjacent wires.
  • condensation can be detected by applying a step change in power to the heater wire 1111 and measuring the subsequent temperature rise in the thermistor wire 1113 or the heater wire 1111 itself.
  • Water can be detected in the bead, on the bead or somewhere else in the tube. Water in the bead will change the thermal conductivity the most, but thermal conductivity changes can be detected if water is anywhere in the tube.
  • Fig. 11B is an example schematic of a thermal conductivity-based condensation detection system, which uses a heater wire 1111 as a heat source and a thermistor wire 1113.
  • Fig. 11B schematically illustrates a sensor cartridge 1101, a heater wire 1111, and a thermistor wire 1113.
  • multiple power signals are interleaved.
  • control power for powering circuits electrically connected to the wire and the step change in power are interleaved on the wire.
  • the temperature of the thermistor wire 1113 or the heater wire 1111 may be measured by the use of a device, for example thermocouples. In some implementations, the temperature of the thermistor wire 1113 or the heater wire 1111 may be measured by other known ways of measuring the temperature of a wire.
  • “Threshold” represents a threshold voltage.
  • the threshold voltage may be any value - for example, 36.8% of the signal generator voltage.
  • “V0” and “V1” represent the voltage across the resistor R for a dry and wet tube, respectively, and “D0” and “D1” represent the detector output accordingly.
  • D1 corresponds to a larger time constant than D0.
  • the larger time constant is caused by differences in “dry” vs “wet” conditions within the tube, which causes differences in the absolute permittivity between the elements.
  • the capacitor C is initially discharged. That is, the voltage across the capacitor C, V C , is 0V.
  • the respiratory assistance apparatus can enter into other modes which may detect different conditions other than condensation or operate other functions of the respiratory assistance apparatus, for example detecting water-out, reverse flow, or other functions as described herein.
  • exiting moisture detection mode could be based on a pre-determined period of time that condensation is not detected, the meeting or non- meeting of certain thresholds, or sufficient successful tests for lack of condensation are passed.
  • Fig. 13A illustrates a flow chart example algorithm to detect a presence of condensate using the inherent capacitance of at least two conductive elements in the conduit.
  • the condensate detection may function independently of, or together with, normal operation. For example, normal operation may pause for a period of time while condensation detection is being performed.
  • the indication can be a relative degree of condensation (for example, low, medium or high); a trend of condensation (for example, increasing or decreasing); an amount of condensation (for example 5ml of condensate); a percentage of the conduit or a portion of conduit that is experiencing condensation; or any combination of the above.
  • the condensate measurement mode operates by generating a signal 1323, receiving the signal that is returned 1325, determining a time constant 1427, determining an indication of condensation 1329, and implementing condensation mitigation strategies 1331.
  • Fig. 13B the condensate measurement mode operates by generating a signal 1323, receiving the signal that is returned 1325, determining a time constant 1427, determining an indication of condensation 1329, and implementing condensation mitigation strategies 1331.
  • the thermal conductivity of the heater wire or the thermistor wire is not above a pre-determined threshold, it is determined that an undesirable amount of condensate is not present in the tube and the system applies a step change in the heater wire power 1361 again after a predetermined interval of time. After implementing condensation mitigation strategies, the system applies a step change in the heater wire power 1361 again after a predetermined interval of time.
  • the condensate detection threshold may not be a strict magnitude threshold and may instead be a rate of change, sustained rate of change, sustained increase or decrease in magnitude, trend, or other statistical measure threshold. Multiple thresholds may be used – e.g. a soft threshold and a hard threshold.
  • Thresholds may be upper or lower thresholds, and may be used to set an allowable range for the humidifier to operate within. Additionally, in response to the threshold being exceeded, any alternative response may be considered, not exclusively setting an alarm, such as the condensation mitigation strategies discussed below. For example, auditory, visual and/or audio-visual alerts, warnings or prompts may be triggered. Even further, the trigger may be used as feedback in a condensation mitigation strategy. Note that for all methods disclosed, if the method describes an upper threshold (for example, the method describes exceeding a threshold) the method may also use a lower threshold. Likewise, if the method describes a lower threshold (for example, the method describes falling below a threshold) the method may also use an upper threshold.
  • the predetermined intervals of time described in the methods above can be variable based on present conditions and/or user input.
  • Any of the methods disclosed may not have purely binary output indicating condensation presence. Using experimentally-determined values or known relationships stored in memory, any of the methods may be used to quantify the amount of condensation present (e.g. 10 mL, 15 mL, 20 mL, etc.). This memory can be located in the heater base, an external accessory, the sensor cartridge, the conduit, or an intermediate connector.
  • the detection of condensation is based on a difference on the previous and current duration of the time constant signal, not the absolute value of the duration. An increasing time constant is indicative of increasing condensate in the tube. A decreasing time constant is indicative of a drying tube.
  • the time constant can also be correlated with any indication of condensation as discussed above. This approach has the advantage that it is unaffected by variations in the capacitance over time or from one tube to the next, without need for a calibration procedure as described below.
  • Calibration It should be understood that there will be inherent variability in the dry capacitance and time constant from one tube to another. Such variations may be due to different tube configurations or, for a given tube configuration, ambient conditions, component or manufacturing tolerances, or supplier/material changes, for example.
  • each tube can optionally include an indicator (such as a resistor value, capacitance, resonant frequency, or EPROM) which allows a gases supply system to identify the model of tube and/or the specific tube, and/or provides capacitance or time constant threshold information for that particular tube or tube model to the gases supply system.
  • the gases supply system for example the humidifier, may be configured to calibrate itself for use with a connected tube.
  • the capacitance or time constant threshold information may be individually measured and programmed into an EPROM upon manufacture of the tube, or the humidifier or EPROM may be programmed with a nominal value (e.g. average or typical value) appropriate for that tube model.
  • microstructures such as transverse microchannels may be provided on the internal surface of the first elongate member 303 of at least a portion of a composite tube, adjacent wall 1401, to transport liquid towards the elements 1405.
  • a microchannel depth gradient may be used to control movement of a liquid in a particular direction, for example, towards the elements 1405. It has been found that liquids tend to move in the direction of the deeper channels. Gradients can also speed up or otherwise improve the wicking of liquid.
  • an internal surface of the first elongate member 303 and second elongate member 305 may respectively comprise hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials or coatings to direct condensate towards the elements 1405. [1211] Fig.
  • Fig. 16 illustrates a portion of an internal conduit wall 1601, such as a bead of a composite conduit, with one or more openings 1603, similar to those included in Fig. 15.
  • a portion of the conduit wall or bead comprises a permeable region 1607, such as a vapor and/or liquid permeable region.
  • Condensate which accumulates in the openings 1603 may be dissipated by diffusion to the ambient environment.
  • two of the conductive elements 1611 may comprise substantially parallel plates or ribbon wires to increase their capacitive coupling.
  • both conductors 1711 may comprise dedicated moisture detection elements.
  • Elements 1705 can alternatively be comprised within the permeable material 1707. Water molecules can enter through the gap 1713 into the permeable material 1707.
  • the relatively small gap 1713 at the lumen side of the conduit ensures that relatively little water vapor, for example humidity, is lost from the humidified breathing gases supplied to the patient.
  • Liquid condensate may be directed towards the gap 1713 by microstructures, openings or the like, to enhance sensitivity of the condensate detection algorithm to condensate.
  • the gap 1713 may be much larger or the nonpermeable material 1709 may be omitted entirely.
  • Fig. 18 illustrates a portion of a conduit wall 1801, for example a bead of a composite conduit, which includes substantially parallel elements 1811 encapsulated in non-permeable regions, a permeable region 1807, and a hollow region 1803.
  • Elements 1811 may each comprise dedicated moisture detection elements, which are not electrically coupled with each other, wherein each element 1811 effectively forms one of the parallel plates of the capacitor C 503 in the model of Fig. 5.
  • the permeable region 1807 can be configured to change in length (e.g. swell) to physically change the distance of the elements 1811 in dependence upon a volume of condensate present in the tube.
  • the permeable region can have an accordion shape that lengthens/straightens when condensate permeates the permeable region 1807.
  • the elements 1811 can be configured to move horizontally as illustrated or vertically or at an angle. Although this configuration is shown in a square or rectangular shape, it can be any shape that allows the elements to separate in some way with condensate.
  • the length of the permeable regions may be either positively or negatively related to moisture (for example, swelling or contracting, respectively, in the presence of condensate), although it is preferable that the effect upon capacitance between the elements 1811 complements, or far exceeds, that arising from the change in permittivity.
  • a permeable material comprised in the conduit wall can cause a change in an angle of elements.
  • Fig. 19 illustrates such a configuration where elements 1911 can pivot as the permeable material swells.
  • the elements can have a pivot point 1915 and/or a retention mechanism 1917. Capacitance between elements can be measured as the elements move closer or further apart.
  • Fig. 19 illustrates such a configuration where elements 1911 can pivot as the permeable material swells.
  • the elements can have a pivot point 1915 and/or a retention mechanism 1917. Capacitance between elements can be measured as the elements move closer or further apart.
  • the elements 2003, 2005 or 2103, 2105 touch, closing the circuit, thus acting as a switch.
  • the switch may be either normally open (NO), as shown in Fig. 20, or normally closed (NC), as shown in Fig. 21.
  • the elements 2003, 2005, 2103, 2105 may be continuous along the length of the tube, or one or more discrete switches may be provided at particular locations along the length of the tube.
  • one or more Wheatstone bridge circuits with strain gauges positioned at one or more locations around the conduit.
  • Permittivity is an electromagnetic property, which contributes to the capacitance of a capacitor and may be measured in farads per meter (F/m).
  • Relative permittivity is a property of the dielectric material/medium in a capacitor. The presence of skin in close vicinity of a breathing conduit may result in changes to the relative permittivity of a dielectric medium, which can be detected or measured using capacitance-based sensing disclosed herein (for example, by measuring a time constant, a resonant frequency, a change in a time constant, or a change in a resonant frequency of the capacitor between the two electrically conductive elements disclosed herein).
  • the permittivity thresholds can be used by a humidifier controller to determine whether there is presence of skin in close vicinity of the breathing conduit.
  • the permittivity thresholds may also be used to distinguish different objects, such as skin versus a blanket.
  • the detection of skin or other objects in close vicinity of the breathing conduit may be used to limit or control the heating elements of the breathing tube to reduce surface temperature and ensure exposed surface temperatures are safe, for example, there may be a 44°C limit for approximately 250mm of conduit near the patient or patient-end connector, whereas there may be a higher limit for the remainder of the tube may be for example 48°C.
  • only the heater wire(s) of the patient-proximate portion of the conduit may be limited as such.
  • Fig. 17B illustrates the conduit wall portion of Fig. 17A.
  • additional elements 1715 are incorporated near an outer surface of the conduit walls.
  • a touch from a body part, such as a finger, will cause a measurable change in capacitance.
  • the detection of skin contact may also be used to generate an alarm, alert, warning, or the like after a predetermined period of time elapses while in contact. For example, an alarm may be raised if a contact is detected and lasts for longer than one minute, 10 minutes, or any other suitable duration.
  • a tube may comprise a pair of wires which may be selectively electrically coupled with each other at a distal end of the tube.
  • the wires may be closed to form a heating or sensing loop or circuit, and opened so that the pair of wires effectively form parallel plates of a capacitor.
  • the distal end of the tube may comprise a switch, such as a relay.
  • the tube may further comprise a control wire or wires to enable a humidifier to control operation of the switch to selectively power the heating or sensing loop, or measure a capacitance between the wires.
  • the pair of wires may comprise an inductor selected to effectively provide a short circuit to relatively low frequencies, but an open circuit to relatively high frequencies. In particular, the inductor may be selected to have little, if any, effect upon a direct current (DC) or low frequency (e.g.
  • DC direct current
  • low frequency e.g.
  • alternating current (AC) heater wire current but effectively blocks a high frequency (e.g., upwards of 1 kHz) signal which may be used to measure a capacitance between the pair of wires.
  • the inductor may further be used to determine the capacitance between the wires by determining the resonant frequency of the circuit, as described above.
  • a resonant frequency of a dry tube may further be used to identify a particular tube model and configure a humidifier or gases source accordingly.
  • Mesh conductor [1227] An electrically conductive mesh can alternatively or additionally be used to determine a presence of condensation. In one implementation, as illustrated in Fig.
  • a tube 2501 has an outer wall comprising a first (or inner) mesh 2502 and a second (or outer), coaxial, mesh 2503 separated by a permeable dielectric material 2504 or air gap.
  • the tube may further comprise a non-permeable outer layer, particularly if used as an inspiratory conduit, to prevent excessive drying of the breathing gases.
  • Condensate may be absorbed or diffused by the permeable dielectric material 2504, modifying the dielectric constant and thus the capacitance between the first and second meshes 2502, 2503.
  • the meshes 2502, 2503 may increase the surface area of the conduit at which condensation can be detected. Either or both of the meshes 2502, 2503 may be replaced by a conductive foil, or a braided sheath.
  • the inner foil may be perforated, or may comprise a helically-wound strip with a gap, to allow passage of condensate into the dielectric material 2504.
  • Either or both of the meshes 2502, 2503 may optionally form part of a heating circuit.
  • the increased surface area of the meshes 2502, 2503, compared to a heater wire, may provide more uniform heating and reduced condensation.
  • Condensation may also be confirmed or detected from a power input to the heating circuit, as evaporative cooling of the condensate may increase a power requirement due to the larger surface area of the mesh.
  • Detecting Location of Condensation [1228] A location of condensation within the conduit can also be detected.
  • a conduit can include segmentations or zones to allow for determination of the location of condensation.
  • the segments can run a certain length of the conduit creating zones along the length of the conduit.
  • a tube may comprise two or more consecutive and independently controllable zones.
  • the capacitance in each zone may be checked independently.
  • An increased capacitance in a zone towards a beginning or middle of the tube, where it may typically drape between a humidifier and a patient may be indicative of mobile condensate pooling at a low point of the tube.
  • An increased capacitance in a zone at the patient end of the tube may be indicative of bodily fluids within the tube.
  • the zones may be equal or unequal in length. [1229] As disclosed above with respect to Fig. 20, the elements 2003, 2005 may form a NO switch or switches.
  • the switch closes to form a circuit.
  • the length of the resulting circuit will be proportional to the distance of the detected condensate from the humidifier, and the location of condensate may be determined from a resistance of the resulting circuit.
  • a plurality of conductive elements for example, wires, could extend different lengths down the tube to determine a general location of condensation within the tube.
  • a circumferential location of condensate may be determined.
  • a conduit can be separated into sectors, such as quadrants, running a length of the conduit (or a zone). For example, Fig.
  • FIG. 23 shows a cross section of a conduit 2301 comprising quadrants 2309, wherein the elements 2305 are provided longitudinally, parallel to the lumen, and equidistantly spaced about the circumference of the tube.
  • the elements 2305 can be used to detect a presence or quantity of condensation as discussed previously herein.
  • the quadrants can be extruded with the conduit walls as part of the manufacturing process or added after the conduit is constructed.
  • the quadrants can be used to determine a circumferential location where condensation is pooling (for example, the lower part of the tube) by measuring a capacitance between each of the adjacent wires.
  • the conduit may comprise a central wire 2311 suspended within the lumen, and a capacitance between the central wire and each of the circumferential wires may be determined.
  • the quadrants can be combined with segments above to provide an even more accurate location of condensation.
  • an additional conductive element for example, a mesh, ribbon or other structure
  • a conduit can also be configured to change color or transparency depending on a presence of moisture.
  • a conduit can be transparent when no condensation is present, but becomes opaque or brightly colored in the presence of condensation (or vice versa). Such changes provide a visual indication of the presence and/or location of moisture in the conduit to the patient, nurse, or other person.
  • a controller of the humidifier can be configured (for example, by implementing software instructions stored in memory) to change certain operating parameters responsible for the delivery of humidity when an unacceptable volume or presence of moisture is detected using any of the previously described methods above.
  • the operating parameters may be changed when the duration of the time constant of the circuit contemplated by the capacitance-based detection method exceeds a pre-determined threshold.
  • a pre-determined threshold can be set to the duration of the time constant corresponding to a dry tube.
  • the controller can change operating set points or parameters such as a chamber outlet setpoint to reduce humidity output from the chamber.
  • power (which as used in the present disclosure should be understood broadly to refer to an amount of energy per unit of time and may be supplied in accordance with a duty cycle, via pulse-width modulation, via a voltage regulator, or the like) supplied to the heater plate of the humidifier may be reduced to reduce the level of moisture added to the breathing gases supplied to the breathing tube and/or power supplied to the breathing tube heating wires may be increased to prevent the temperature of the humidified gases falling below their dew point.
  • the pre-determined threshold value (or after a period of time)
  • the controller may resume normal/previous operation.
  • the threshold may be varied, or a different threshold used, to provide hysteresis and avoid oscillation between operation modes.
  • the controller may filter and/or otherwise process the sensor output to split the output into individual values for condensate and water in the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material. This may be based on, for example, ranges associated with the presence of each condensate and moisture or for example other signal processing techniques.
  • the controller may determine that the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material is saturated when the sensor output reaches a predetermined threshold and/or when there is a predetermined amount of water present indicative of saturation of the vapor and/or liquid permeable material. In some cases, the controller may determine that condensate is present when the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material is saturated.
  • the sensor output may be able to determine a state of the moisture level in the tube.
  • the state of the moisture level that can be determined by the controller may include the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material being saturated or unsaturated and/or the presence of condensate.
  • the predetermined level of moisture may not need to be a physical amount (for example, 20 g or otherwise).
  • the predetermined level of moisture can be experimentally determined based on the characteristics of the system and the particular sensor.
  • An amount of moisture above at least one threshold may be condensate above a predetermined level or water in a vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material above a predetermined level.
  • the at least one threshold can be any of an absolute value threshold, a value change threshold, a percentage threshold (for example, about 80%, about 90%, about 100%, or any values in between) of a maximum sensor output, a percentage change threshold, a percentage change over time threshold, a gradient threshold, and/or a crossing threshold.
  • the crossing threshold may relate to how the threshold may be triggered a predetermined number of times, which may be over the duration of a predetermined time period.
  • the maximum sensor output may be, for example, an output indicating that the bead of a conduit is fully saturated with moisture.
  • the updated operation can include any one or more of generating at least one notification and/or alarm (which may be displayed on the humidifier or another device, such as the ventilator or a central monitoring system), changing power to the heater plate and/or the heater wires, and/or changing a mode of the humidifier.
  • the decision block 2602 can be implemented in all the example methods of managing the detected moisture, such as the decision block 2702, 2802, 2902, 3002 of Figs. 27-30.
  • the figures of example methods of the present disclosure refer to “condensate,” the methods can be implemented with any moisture (that is, including the condensate and the water in the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material of the humidifier system) detected using the system and methods disclosed herein.
  • Such moisture management methods can include, but are not limited to, reducing a humidity of the flow of gases 2604.
  • the humidity may be a dew point of the flow of gases 2604, absolute humidity target of the flow of gases 2604, or relative humidity target of the flow of gases 2606 (each of which may likewise be approximated by a temperature value).
  • the moisture management methods can actively drive moisture into the ambient air via a vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material (for example, in the bead of a conduit or otherwise as disclosed herein) 2608, and actively drain condensate in the breathing circuit 2610. Active inducing of condensate may be part of a moisture management response or part of detecting a humidity of the flow of gases.
  • the heater wire power may be controlled first, following the activation of a drain valve, to cause any residual moisture to be moved to the atmosphere, before turning to control measures that are more directed towards prevention of condensate formation.
  • certain steps may be included, omitted, or ordered such that a different moisture management response is achieved. Additional details of each of these methods will be described below, including descriptions with reference to Figs.27-30.
  • the controller can evaluate whether excess moisture is still present at decision blocks 2612, 2614, 2616, 2618, by using the same or similar threshold as applied at decision block 2602.
  • the controller may have a further response when detecting mobile condensate and may further change at least one operating parameter of the conduit or the humidifier or add more than one response together. If excess moisture is no longer present, the controller can exit the process. By exiting the process, the controller can return to the normal operation (that is, operation without reduced/limited/disabled operating parameter limits introduced in response to moisture detection at decision block 2602) and/or revert to an original operating parameter of the humidifier (that is, before the controller proceeded to the decision block 2602). Alternatively, after exiting the process, the controller can repeat the same or another moisture detection process. [1245]
  • the moisture management responses disclosed herein may control the system to better control moisture in the system.
  • the controller can reduce the absolute humidity target at step 2704 by decreasing the output of the heater plate.
  • the decrease of the heater plate output can be achieved by the controller changing at least one of the following operating parameters of the heater plate: reducing set point(s) (for example, the chamber outlet or heater plate temperature set-point), and/or reducing power to the heater plate or limiting (or even disabling) the power to the heater plate.
  • a chamber outlet dew point set point can be reduced from about 37°C to about 36°C, about 35°C, about 34°C, etc.
  • the controller can maintain the changed operating parameter(s) of the heater plate from step 2704 for a predefined time using a timer at step 2706. After the predefined time, the controller can reevaluate at decision block 2708 whether excess moisture is present as described above with reference to decision block 2612. If excess moisture is still present, the controller can return to step 2704. If excess moisture is no longer present, the controller can exit the process 2604. By exiting the process 2604, the controller can return to the normal operation and/or revert to the original absolute humidity target of the flow of gases.
  • a conduit capable of multi-zone heating that is disclosed herein and in WO 2014/077706 A1 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) can be used.
  • the first and second segments of the conduit may be capable of being heated independently or differently.
  • the environment of the incubator may be warmer than the ambient environment. Therefore, the likelihood for the flow of gases to cool and condense within the second segment of the conduit may be lower. It may be difficult to determine the temperature of the flow of gases in the two environments, particularly when the conduit only has a patient-end sensor.
  • a chamber outlet sensor may only allow measurement of the gases at the beginning of the conduit and not at the location of the conduit just prior to the incubator. By reducing the relative humidity target, the controller may more accurately heat the conduit to reduce or prevent condensation.
  • the drying rate is the rate at which moisture (for example condensate and/or moisture in the vapor and/or liquid permeable material) can be transferred from the component across the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material to atmosphere, and/or from the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material to atmosphere.
  • the humidifier controller may decrease the heater wire duty cycle or power at step 2904.
  • the heater wire duty cycle can be reduced to any value between about 0-10W or heater wire power density can be reduced to about 3.0 W/m to about 7.0 W/m.
  • the controller can then monitor moisture (for example via a value indicative of the amount of moisture present in the component based at least in part on the at least one sensor signal – i.e. a capacitance) until it reaches a predetermined threshold.
  • the threshold may be a percentage threshold with value ranging between and including about 80% and about 100%, or above about 50% or above about 60%, or above about 70% of a predetermined maximum value which indicates the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material (for example the bead) is fully saturated with moisture.
  • the predetermined threshold may be associated with a predetermined moisture saturation of the vapor and/or liquid permeable material.
  • the controller may control the heating operating parameter based on the capacitance to control the drying rate.
  • the controller may increase the at least one operating parameter, for example, the heater wire duty or power.
  • the heater wire operating parameter for example heater wire power or duty cycle, may be increased such that the power provided is approximately 15-20W or higher or the power density to the heater wires may be increased to about 10 W/m to about 14 W/m, to drive moisture out of the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material and into the ambient environment around the conduit.
  • the controller can run a timer for a predefined time after step 2908 and assume that the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material has dried to a dryness threshold.
  • the dryness threshold may be when the capacitance has fallen below about 50%, or about 40% or about 30% about 20%, or about 15%, or lower, or otherwise. Additionally or alternatively, as shown in Fig. 29, the controller can determine whether capacitance and/or moisture of the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material and/or circuit is lower than a dryness threshold at decision block 2910.
  • the controller can implement decision block 2910 continuously or intermittently after step 2908.
  • the controller can return to the normal operation and/or revert to the original operating parameter(s) of the heater wire.
  • the moisture in the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material may not reach saturation at decision block 2906 even after a period of time. This may indicate that there is no more excess moisture and normal operation may resume, or the condensation management measure may be exited.
  • the capacitance thresholds may not be based on absolute values such as a percentage of known maximum capacity.
  • the capacitance thresholds may be relative gradient thresholds. That is, the controller may identify a rate of change of capacitance to determine whether the vapor permeable and/or liquid permeable material is saturated or dry.
  • the controller may detect sharp changes in the gradient of a measured capacitance, which can be indicative of a sudden increase in the amount of water in the inspiratory conduit.
  • the controller can detect an overflow condition based on a consistent/steady high level of measured capacitance.
  • the controller may identify an overflow condition on the basis of a proportionally higher measured capacitance at a location proximate to the humidifier compared to a location further along the gases flow path, for example, along the conduit.
  • the controller may generate a notification or alarm (for example, audio and/or visual) of the excess moisture and/or overflow condition.
  • the controller can wait for condensation to form (passive), or the controller can actively induce condensation to occur (active) to determine or estimate the dew point temperature.
  • a passive approach may include periodically polling or otherwise checking a moisture detection module of the controller, while the active approach may include transiently lowering power to the heater wire to drop the gases temperature by a small amount that is sufficient to induce the gas-liquid state change for condensate to form.
  • the patient-end temperature, or gases temperature in general, may be monitored concurrently.
  • Fig. 31A illustrates an example passive method of determining or estimating the dew point temperature of the flow of gases.
  • the controller can determine whether a predetermined level of moisture is present at decision block 3102 using any of the moisture detection systems or methods disclosed herein.
  • Fig. 31B illustrates an example active method of determining or estimating the dew point temperature of the flow of gases. The method in Fig. 31B includes all the steps of the passive method in Fig.

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PCT/IB2022/060952 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 Moisture detection and management in a gases supply system Ceased WO2023084492A1 (en)

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CA3238983A CA3238983A1 (en) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 Moisture detection and management in a gases supply system
JP2024529253A JP2024540460A (ja) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 ガス供給システム内の水分検出及び管理
EP22892263.9A EP4433125A4 (en) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 MOISTURE DETECTION AND MANAGEMENT IN A GAS SUPPLY SYSTEM
KR1020247019905A KR20240120723A (ko) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 가스 공급 시스템의 수분 검출 및 관리
AU2022386787A AU2022386787A1 (en) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 Moisture detection and management in a gases supply system
CN202280087277.5A CN118871153A (zh) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 气体供应系统中的水分检测和管理
MX2024005854A MX2024005854A (es) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 Detección y control de la humedad en un sistema de suministro de gases.
US18/710,003 US20250010015A1 (en) 2021-11-15 2022-11-15 Moisture detection and management in a gases supply system

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WO2014077706A1 (en) 2012-11-14 2014-05-22 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Zone heating for respiratory circuits
US20170035985A1 (en) * 2014-05-02 2017-02-09 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Gas humidification arrangement
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WO2018116187A1 (en) 2016-12-22 2018-06-28 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Medical tubes and methods of manufacture
WO2020204731A1 (en) 2019-03-29 2020-10-08 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Systems and methods of detecting incorrect connections in a humidification system
US11129957B2 (en) * 2009-12-23 2021-09-28 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Humidified gases delivery apparatus and methods for controlling same
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US20060118113A1 (en) * 2002-11-01 2006-06-08 Bremner Michael B E System for sensing the delivery of gases to a patient
US9802022B2 (en) * 2008-03-06 2017-10-31 Resmed Limited Humidification of respiratory gases
US11129957B2 (en) * 2009-12-23 2021-09-28 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Humidified gases delivery apparatus and methods for controlling same
WO2014077706A1 (en) 2012-11-14 2014-05-22 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Zone heating for respiratory circuits
US20170035985A1 (en) * 2014-05-02 2017-02-09 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Gas humidification arrangement
WO2018116187A1 (en) 2016-12-22 2018-06-28 Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited Medical tubes and methods of manufacture
US20210370016A1 (en) * 2018-08-28 2021-12-02 Hamilton Medical Ag Respiratory device with improved humidification of the respiration gas
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CN118871153A (zh) 2024-10-29
US20250010015A1 (en) 2025-01-09
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