Breathing assistance system having integrated electrical conductors communicating data

1. A breathing assistance system, comprising:

a gas delivery apparatus configured to deliver gas to a patient;

a patient interface configured to interface with the patient to deliver gas communicated by the gas delivery apparatus to the patient;

a connection system configured to communicate gas from the gas delivery apparatus to the patient interface; and

an electrical circuit configured to communicate electrical signals between the patient interface and the gas delivery apparatus, the electrical circuit including one or more first electrical conductors at least partially integral with the patient interface and one or more second electrical conductors at least partially integral with the connection system;

wherein the one or more first electrical conductors terminate in first electrical contacts located proximate a first end of the patient interface; and

wherein the one or more first electrical contacts align with one or more corresponding second electrical contacts, the one or more second electrical contacts being at least one of (a) associated with a connector located between the connection system and the patient interface and (b) located proximate a first end of the connection system.

2. A breathing assistance system according to claim 1 , wherein the gas delivery apparatus includes a control system configured to control at least one function of the gas delivery apparatus based at least on electrical signals received via the electrical circuit.

3. A breathing assistance system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the patient interface includes a side wall; and

the one or more first electrical conductors are at least partially integrated with the side wall.

4. A breathing assistance system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the connection system includes a side wall, and

the one or more second electrical conductors are at least partially integrated with the side wall.

5. A breathing assistance system according to claim 4 , wherein the connection system comprises a breathing circuit.

6. A breathing assistance system according to claim 1 ; further comprising:

an alignment system configured to align the one or more first electrical contacts with the one or more second electrical contacts.

7. A breathing assistance system according to claim 6 , wherein the alignment system is configured to align the one or more first alignment devices and the one or more second alignment in an axial direction.

8. A breathing assistance system according to claim 6 , wherein the alignment system is configured to align the one or more first alignment devices and the one or more second alignment in a radial or rotational direction.

9. A medical device, comprising:

a breathing circuit for use in providing breathing assistance to a patient, the breathing circuit configured to be communicatively coupled to a gas delivery apparatus, the breathing circuit including:

an inspiration conduit configured to communicate gas toward the patient;

a first connector for connecting the inspiration conduit to a patient interface; and

a second connector for connecting the inspiration conduit to a ventilator; and

an electrical conductor at least partially integrated with the breathing circuit, the electrical conductor configured to form a portion of an electrical circuit for communicating electrical signals between the breathing circuit and the gas delivery apparatus, the electrical conductor terminating at a first end in a first electrical contact and terminating at a second end in a second electrical contact.

10. A medical device according to claim 9 , wherein:

the electrical conductor at least partially integrated with the breathing circuit is configured to form a portion of an electrical circuit for communicating electrical signals between the patient interface and the gas delivery apparatus.

11. A medical device according to claim 9 , wherein the breathing circuit comprises a single limb breathing circuit.

12. A medical device according to claim 9 , wherein the breathing circuit comprises a dual limb breathing circuit including:

the inspiration conduit; and

an exhalation conduit; and

wherein the electrical conductor is at least partially integrated with the inspiration conduit.

13. A medical device according to claim 9 , wherein the breathing circuit comprises a dual limb breathing circuit including:

the inspiration conduit; and

an exhalation conduit; and

wherein the electrical conductor is at least partially integrated with the exhalation conduit.

14. A medical device comprising:

a gas delivery apparatus for delivering gas toward a patient; and

a connection interface configured to:

connect to a breathing circuit; and

receive electrical signals via one or more conductors at least partially integrated in the breathing circuit;

wherein the connection interface includes one or more first electrical contacts configured to align with one or more second electrical contacts of the one or more conductors at least partially integrated in the breathing circuit in order to receive electrical signals via the one or more conductors.

15. A medical device according to claim 14 , wherein the gas delivery apparatus includes a control system configured to control at least one function of the gas delivery apparatus based at least on electrical signals received via the connection interface.

16. A medical device comprising:

gas delivery means for delivering gas to a patient;

patient interfacing means for interfacing with the patient to deliver gas communicated by the gas delivery means to the patient;

connection means for communicating gas from the gas delivery apparatus to the patient interface; and

signal communication means for communicating electrical signals between the patient interfacing means and the gas delivery means, the signal communication means including one or more first electrical conductors at least partially integral with the patient interfacing means and one or more second electrical conductors at least partially integral with the connection means;

wherein the one or more first electrical conductors terminate in first electrical contacts; and

wherein the one or more first electrical contacts align with one or more corresponding second electrical contacts, the one or more second electrical contacts being at least one of (a) associated with a connector located between the connection system and the patient interface and (b) located proximate a first end of the connection system.

17. A method of communicating data in a breathing assistance system, comprising:

operating a breathing assistance system, comprising:

a gas delivery apparatus configured to deliver gas to a patient;

a patient interface configured to interface with the patient to deliver gas communicated by the gas delivery apparatus to the patient;

a connection system configured to communicate gas from the gas delivery apparatus to the patient interface; and

an electrical circuit configured to communicate electrical signals between the patient interface and the gas delivery apparatus, the electrical circuit including one or more first electrical conductors at least partially integral with the patient interface and one or more second electrical conductors at least partially integral with the connection system;

wherein the one or more first electrical conductors terminate in first electrical contacts; and

wherein the one or more first electrical contacts align with one or more corresponding second electrical contacts, the one or more second electrical contacts being at least one of (a) associated with a connector located between the connection system and the patient interface and (b) located proximate a first end of the connection system; and

communicating data between the patient interface and the gas delivery apparatus via the electrical circuit.