Breathing assistance apparatus

摘要

The present invention may include an integral, separable or separate humidifier (100) which may be selectively configured to an inoperative or operative state. The switch over is dependent on the user or the seller having access to an actuation tool to activate the humidifier. The Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device is initially available for use as a standalone CPAP (100). The heater plate being isolated by a covering shroud (102), the shroud (102) also forms a connection port for the CPAP blower outlet (104). The heated humidification hardware being disabled by the absence of the activation tool. Upgrade to a CPAP device including heated humidification is completed by the installation of the actuation tool. Removal of the heater plate isolating shroud and/or installing the actuation tool enables the software controlled heated humidification hardware for heated humidifier operation. Other upgrades to functionality are also disclosed.