CONTROL OF HUMIDIFIER CHAMBER TEMPERATURE FOR ACCURATE HUMIDITY CONTROL

摘要

A breathing assistance system is provided for delivering a stream flow of heated, humidified gases to a user. The system includes a humidifier unit which holds and heats a volume of water, and which in use receives a flow of gases from a gases source via an inlet port. The flow of gases passes through the humidifier and exits via an exit port. The system further includes a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the gases exiting the humidifier unit, an ambient temperature sensor which measures the temperature of gases before they enter the humidifier unit, and a flow sensor which measures the flow rate of the gases stream. The system also includes a controller which receives data from the temperature and flow sensors, and which determines a control output in response. The control output is configured to adjust the power to the humidifier unit to achieve a desired output at the humidifier unit exit port.