Method and apparatus for humidification of breathable gas by condensation and/or dehumidification
View Patent ↗A method and apparatus for humidifying breathable gas provided to a user includes providing a breathable gas, producing moisture or water derived from ambient environmental surroundings, e.g., via condensation and/or dehumidified air, and directing the breathable gas along an air flow path. The air flow path optionally includes access to at least a portion of the moisture or water for increased humidification of the breathable gas, for delivery to the user.
1. A condensation sensor arranged to detect condensation, said sensor comprising:
an emitter to emit light towards a location in a mask system or positive airway pressure (PAP) device where condensation is likely to beed or pool; and
a detector structured to receive the emitted light in dependence on the condensation present at the location.
2. The condensation sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the emitter and the detector are positioned on a common side of the location, such that the emitted light is reflected from a surface of the location towards the detector if condensation is present.
3. The condensation sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the emitter and the detector are positioned on opposite sides of the location, such that the emitted light passes through a surface of the location towards the detector at substantially full intensity if no condensation is present.
4. The condensation sensor according to claim 3 , wherein only a portion of the emitted light passes through the surface towards the detector if condensation is present.
5. The condensation sensor according to claim 3 , further comprising a controller that receives a light intensity signal from the detector, wherein the controller produces a negative condensation signal if the light intensity signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined full intensity signal, and the controller produces a positive condensation signal if the light intensity signal is less than the predetermined full intensity signal.
6. The condensation sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the location is proximate to a bottom of a patient interface of the mask system.
7. The condensation sensor according to claim 1 , further comprising a processor configured to determine an amount of condensation proximate to the location.
8. The condensation sensor according to claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the amount of condensation proximate to the location is a therapeutically adequate level of condensation.
9. The condensation sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the emitted light is infrared light.
10. A method of detecting condensation, the method comprising:
emitting light towards a location in a mask system or positive airway pressure (PAP) device where condensation is likely to beed or pool via an emitter; and
receiving, via a detector, emitted light emitted via the emitter in dependence on the condensation present at the location.
11. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising positioning the emitter and the detector on a common side of the location, such that the emitted light is reflected from a surface of the location towards the detector if condensation is present.
12. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising positioning the emitter and the detector on opposite sides of the location, such that the emitted light passes through a surface of the location towards the detector at substantially full intensity if no condensation is present.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein only a portion of the emitted light passes through the surface towards the detector if condensation is present.
14. The method according to claim 12 , further comprising providing a controller arranged to receive a light intensity signal from the detector, wherein the controller is configured to produce a negative condensation signal when the light intensity signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined full intensity signal, and wherein the controller is configured to produce a positive condensation signal if the light intensity signal is less than the predetermined full intensity signal.
15. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the location is proximate to a bottom of a patient interface of the mask system.
16. The method according to claim 10 , further comprising determining an amount of condensation proximate to the location.
17. The method according to claim 16 , further comprising determining whether the amount of condensation proximate to the location is a therapeutically adequate level of condensation.
18. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the emitted light is infrared light.
19. A respiratory assistance apparatus, comprising:
a mask;
a flow generator; and
a condensation sensor according to claim 1 .