Humidifier

摘要

Disclosed is a humidifier; a respiratory apparatus; a method of humidifying breathable gas; an air heater coil; a method of heating air flow within a respiratory device; a method of controlling a humidifier and a method of treating a respiratory disorder of a patient. A humidifier (12) can be used to treat sleep disordered breathing with continuous positive airway pressure. Current devices for humidifying air supply are cumbersome and prone to spillage. The humidifier comprises a heating element and outer housing (26). The heating element includes a porous structure (24) of electrically resistive and thermally conductive material configured to vaporise liquid which is passed through the porous structure. The porous structure has a liquid inlet (28) and a vapour outlet. The outer housing surrounds at least a portion of the porous structure for containing the liquid and vapour within the porous structure. The porous structure includes a first (33) and second (37) electrical connectors configured to receive electrical power and apply a voltage across the porous structure.