Description:AS ATTACHED , C , Claims:CLAIMS :

1. A conduit for use with a respiratory or surgical gases supply system, the conduit comprising:
a first electrically conductive element;
a second electrically conductive element spaced apart from the first electrically conductive element at a distance configured to allow a capacitive effect to exist between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element such that the capacitive effect changes in the presence of moisture; and
a material separating the first conductive element from the second electrically conductive element.

2. The conduit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second electrically conductive elements is one or more of a heater wire or sensor wire.

3. The conduit of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a controller configured to determine a presence and/or indication of moisture within the conduit by determining a capacitance or change in capacitance between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.

4. The conduit of claim 3 wherein the controller is configured to determine the presence or the indication of moisture within the conduit by measuring a capacitive reactance and/or inductance existing between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.

5. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first electrically conductive element and second electrically conductive element are placed close enough to allow for a measurable capacitance, but far enough apart to allow for a measurable change in capacitance due to a presence of moisture.

6. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the material is a fluid permeable material.

7. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the first electrically conductive element and second electrically conductive element are elongate filaments.

8. The conduit of claim 7 wherein the elongate filaments are surrounded by an electrically insulating jacket.

9. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the first electrically conductive element and second electrically conductive element are spirally wound about at least a portion of a length of the conduit.

10. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the first electrically conductive element and second electrically conductive element extend from one end of the conduit to the other end of the conduit.

11. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the conduit comprises and/or is configured to communicate with, a controller configured to determine a presence and/or indication of moisture within the conduit by determining a capacitance or change in capacitance between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.

12. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the material comprises an opening, keyhole, dip, channel and/or void configured to allow moisture between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element and affect a capacitive effect between the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element.

13. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 12 comprising an accordion shape that expands or contracts in the presence of moisture, thereby moving the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element further apart or closer together.

14. The conduit of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the material is configured to cause the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element to touch or separate based on a presence of moisture.

15 A conduit for use with a respiratory or surgical gases supply system, the conduit comprising:
a first electrically conductive element;
a second electrically conductive element;
wherein one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are configured to provide a measurement of a time constant or a resonant frequency indicative of a presence or amount of moisture in a conduit.

16. A conduit for use with a respiratory or surgical gases supply system, the conduit comprising:
a first electrically conductive element;
a second electrically conductive element;
wherein one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are configured to provide a measurement of a resistive property indicative of a presence or amount of moisture in a conduit.

17. A conduit for use with a respiratory or surgical gases supply system, the conduit comprising:
a first electrically conductive element;
a second electrically conductive element;
wherein one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are configured to provide a measurement of a temperature or thermal conductivity property indicative of a presence or amount of moisture in a conduit.

18. A conduit for use with a respiratory or surgical gases supply system, the conduit comprising:
a first electrically conductive element;
a second electrically conductive element;
wherein one or more of the first electrically conductive element and the second electrically conductive element are configured to measure a magnitude and/or phase of a signal or a change in a magnitude and/or phase of a signal indicative of a presence or amount of moisture in a conduit.