Heater unit humidification chamber monitor
US8511651B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 20, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/502
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A heater unit is adapted to determine if a humidification chamber thermally coupled to a hot plate of the heater unit is effectively dry based on determining a thermal response of a hot plate of the heater unit. Also, the activation period during which the hot plate is being heated is adjusted toward an optimum period by adjusting the energization or power level to the heater element thereof in relation to the duration of a prior activation period. Further, the air flow rate of gas through the humidification chamber may be estimated based on a temperature of the hot plate determined in predetermined relationship to the beginning of an activation period.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.