Claims:We claim:
1. A humidification chamber for a humidification system, the humidification chamber comprising:
an outer wall;
an upper wall connected to the outer wall, the outer wall and the upper wall at least partially defining a volume for containing a liquid;
an inlet to receive gases into the humidification chamber from a gases source; and
an outlet configured to connect to a circuit connector for directing heated and/or humidified gases from the humidification chamber to a patient or other person;
wherein the outlet is configured to provide a releasable and lockable connection to the circuit connector and/or comprises an orientator to control the orientation of the circuit connector relative to the outlet.
2. The humidification chamber of claim 1, wherein the orientator comprises a recess configured to slidably engage a projection on the circuit connector such that the circuit connector may only be slid onto the outlet of the humidification chamber in a predetermined orientation.
3. The humidification chamber of claim 1 or 2, wherein the orientator comprises a projection configured to slidably engage a recess in the circuit connector such that the circuit connector may only be slid onto the outlet of the humidification chamber in a predetermined orientation.
4. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outlet of the humidification chamber comprises a first portion that extends substantially vertically from the humidification chamber and a second portion that extends substantially horizontally from the first portion, the second portion being downstream of the first portion, in use.
5. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a recess or projection configured to be engaged by a latch of the circuit connector, thereby providing said releasable and lockable connection of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber.
6. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a latch configured to engage a recess or projection of the circuit connector, thereby providing said releasable and lockable connection of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber.
7. The humidification chamber of claim 5 or 6, comprising an activator for disengaging the latch from the recess or projection to allow removal of the circuit connector from the outlet of the humidification chamber.
8. The humidification chamber of claim 7, wherein the activator comprises at least one manually depressible button or switch.
9. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outlet of the humidification chamber is configured to receive at least a portion of the circuit connector inside the outlet of the humidification chamber.
10. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising an orientator to control orientation of the humidification chamber relative to the base unit.
11. A humidification chamber for a humidification system, the humidification chamber comprising:
an outer wall;
an upper wall connected to the outer wall, the outer wall and the upper wall at least partially defining a volume for containing a liquid;
an inlet to receive gases from a gases source;
an outlet configured to connect to a circuit connector for directing heated and/or humidified gases to a patient or other person; and
an orientator to control orientation of the humidification chamber relative to the base unit.
12. The humidification chamber of claim 11, wherein the orientator comprises a recess configured to slidably engage a projection on or associated with the base unit such that the humidification chamber may only be engaged with the base unit in a predetermined orientation.
13. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein the orientator comprises a projection configured to slidably engage a recess in or associated with the base unit such that the humidification chamber may only be engaged with the base unit in a predetermined orientation.
14. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the orientator is configured to orientate, at least in part, the circuit connector relative to the outlet of the humidification chamber.
15. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the orientator is configured to orientate, at least in part, an electrical terminal of the circuit connector relative to an electrical terminal associated with the base unit.
16. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 15, configured to couple to the base unit, at least in part, via a coupler of or associated with the base unit.
17. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein at least a downstream end of the outlet is oriented in a substantially parallel direction to a direction of engagement of the humidification chamber with the base unit.
18. The humidification chamber of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein a direction of engagement of an electrical connection of the circuit connector to the base unit and/or a coupler of the base unit is substantially parallel to:
at least a downstream end of the outlet of the humidification chamber, and/or
a direction of engagement of the humidification chamber with the base unit.
19. A humidification system comprising:
a base unit;
a humidification chamber configured to operatively connect to the base unit, the humidification chamber comprising an outer body defining a chamber, an inlet port comprising a wall defining a passage into the chamber, an outlet port comprising a wall defining a passage out of the chamber;
a circuit connector configured to connect the outlet port to a humidified gases delivery conduit,
wherein connection of the circuit connector to the outlet port is made in substantially the same direction as the connection of the humidification chamber to the base unit.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the circuit connector comprises an electrical terminal configured to electrically connect the humidified gases delivery conduit and/or the circuit connector to an electrical terminal associated with the base unit.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the electrical terminal of the circuit connector connects to the electrical terminal associated with the base unit in substantially the same direction as the connection of the circuit connector to the outlet port of the humidification chamber and/or the connection of the humidification chamber to the base unit.
22. The system of any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein said direction is substantially horizontal.
23. The system of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein any one or more of the base unit, the humidification chamber, the circuit connector or a coupler provided between the humidification chamber and the base unit include an orientator to control relative orientation of at least one of the others of the base unit, the humidification chamber, the circuit connector or the coupler.
24. The system of any one of claims 19 to 23, comprising a pressurized gas source, the pressurized gas source comprising an outlet, the outlet of the pressurized gas source being connected or connectable to the inlet port of the humidification chamber, the humidification chamber defining a flow passage between the pressurized gas source and outlet port.
25. The system of any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the circuit connector is configured to provide a releasable and lockable connection to the outlet port of the humidification chamber.
26. The system of any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the humidification chamber is releasably and lockably engageable with the base unit.
27. The system of any one of claims 19 to 26, wherein the circuit connector is not fixedly or lockably attachable to the base unit and/or the circuit connector is not fixedly or lockably attachable to a coupler located between the circuit connector and the base unit.
28. A method of assembling a humidification system, the method comprising:
slidably engaging a humidification chamber to a base unit in a first direction; and
slidably engaging a circuit connector to an outlet of the humidification chamber in a second direction,
wherein the first and second directions are substantially the same.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein said slidably engaging the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber results in or effects electrical connection of the circuit connector to the base unit and/or a control module associated with the base unit.
30. A method of assembling a humidification system, the method comprising:
slidably engaging a circuit connector to an outlet of a humidification chamber in a first direction; and
slidably engaging the combined sub-assembly of the humidification chamber and the circuit connector to a base unit in a second direction,
wherein the first and second directions are substantially the same.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein said slidably engaging the combined sub-assembly of the humidification chamber and the circuit connector to a base unit results in or effects electrical connection of the circuit connector to the base unit and/or a control module associated with the base unit.
32. The method of any one of claims 28 to 31, wherein said first and second directions are substantially horizontal.
33. A coupler for a humidification system, the coupler being configured to connect, in use, to a circuit connector associated with a breathing tube and to a base unit, the coupler comprising:
a plurality of electrical contact terminals, the electrical contact terminals being located on an underside surface of an extension portion, the coupler being configured such that when it is connected to the base unit the extension portion extends outwardly from the base unit, wherein the electrical contact terminals are complementary to electrical contacts of the circuit connector associated with the breathing tube.
34. The coupler of claim 33, wherein the extension portion comprises a hood or shroud portion extending in a forward, horizontal direction from the base unit, the plurality of electrical contact terminals being positioned on an underside of the hood or shroud portion.
35. The coupler of claim 33 or 34, wherein the plurality of electrical contact terminals are bent backwards.
36. The coupler of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein:
the plurality of electrical contact terminals protrude downward beyond a contact surface; and/or
the contact surface is configured to contact an upper contact surface of the circuit connector; and/or
the contact surface is substantially planar.
37. The coupler of claim 36, wherein the plurality of electrical contact terminals and the contact surface are disposed on an insert block that is located on or connected to a portion of the base unit.
38. The coupler of claim 37, wherein the insert block is configured to be received and/or retained within the extension portion, the extension portion substantially covering the insert block when the insert block is positioned within the hood or shroud portion.
39. The coupler of claim 37 or 38, wherein the insert block is configured to be slidably inserted into the extension portion in a proximal direction, proximal being with reference to the base unit.
40. The coupler of any one of claims 37 to 39, further comprising a flange, wherein the insert block comprises a recess that is configured to receive at least a portion of the flange when the insert block is received and/or retained in the extension portion.
41. The coupler of any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the extension portion comprises one or more alignment features configured to guide insertion of the insert block and/or insertion of the circuit connector such that the circuit connector is brought into engagement with the base unit.
42. The coupler of claim 41, wherein the one or more alignment features comprise a first rail on a first side of the extension portion and a second rail on a second side of the extension portion.
43. The coupler of claim 41, wherein the insert block comprises one or more channels that are configured to receive the one or more alignment features.
44. The coupler of claim 43, wherein a length of the one or more channels is shorter than a length of the one or more alignment features.
45. The coupler of any one of claims 37 to 44, wherein the insert block further comprises one or more deflectable tabs, each having a catch element.
46. The coupler of claim 45, wherein the one or more deflectable tabs and/or the catch element are configured to deflect inwardly during insertion of the insert block into the hood portion and to deflect outwardly to secure the insert block into the hood portion, thereby forming a releasable and lockable connection between the insert block and the base unit.
47. A base unit for a humidification system, the base unit comprising:
a heater plate; and
a coupler according to any one of the preceding claims configured to connect the circuit connector to the base unit;
wherein optionally:
the coupler is removably attached to the base unit; and/or
the coupler electrically and/or structurally couples to the base unit and/or the circuit connector; and/or
the base unit is configured to operatively connect in use to a humidification chamber; or
the base unit comprises the humidification chamber.
48. A connector for a breathing gas tube comprising:
a connector body comprising a lumen extending through the connector body; and
an electrical connector located adjacent the lumen and supported by the connector body;
wherein:
the connector body comprises an extending portion projecting forward from an end of the connector body opposite to the breathing tube and one or more channels located in the connector body,
the one or more channels are arranged to receive one or more corresponding rails of or operatively coupled to a heater base of a respiratory humidification system, so as to align the connector in relation to the heater base when the two are removably coupled together, in use, and
at least the extending portion is arranged to be at least partially received in and covered by a shroud or hood portion of or operatively coupled to and projecting forward in a generally horizontal direction from the heater base of the respiratory humidification system, so as to prevent liquid to come into contact with the electrical connector in use.
49. The connector of claim 48, wherein upon coupling between the connector and the heater base a pneumatic connection is provided between the lumen and the respiratory humidification system.
50. The connector of claim 48 or 49, wherein upon coupling between the connector and the heater base electrical connections of the electrical connector are brought into contact with corresponding terminals operatively coupled to the heater base.
51. The connector of claims 48 to 50, wherein the one or more channels are diametrically opposed to each other.
52. The connector of claims 48 to 51, wherein the one or more channels are parallel to each other.
53. The connector of claims 48 to 52, wherein the one or more channels are located on opposing sides of the connector body.
54. The connector of claim 52 or 53, wherein the one or more channels comprise two channels parallel to each other.
55. The connector of claims 48 to 54, the connector comprising one or more shoulders formed adjacent to the one or more channels.
56. The connector of claim 55, wherein the electrical connector is formed on a printed circuit board, the printed circuit board comprising a flared portion at a distal end thereof, wherein the one or more shoulders are defined at the flared portion of the electrical connector.
57. The connector of claim 50, wherein the electrical connections of the electrical connector extend beyond the pneumatic connection and electrically and/or communicatively couple to the corresponding terminals.
58. The connector of claim 57, wherein the electrical connections are provided in the extending portion of the connector.
59. The connector of claim 57, wherein at least a portion of the electrical connector extends forward from an end of the extending portion opposite to the breathing tube.
60. The connector of claim 59, wherein the electrical connections comprise edge card connectors or card edge connectors.
61. The connector of claims 48 to 60, wherein the connector comprises removably lockable means configured to removably couple the connector to a humidification apparatus operatively coupled to the heater base in use.
62. The connector of claim 61, wherein the removably lockable means comprises a ring surrounding the lumen and configured to lock the connector to the humidification apparatus.
63. The connector of claim 62, wherein the removably lockable means comprises buttons integral with or operatively coupled to the ring which, when actuated, deform the ring to allow the connector to be decoupled from the humidification apparatus.
64. A respiratory humidification system, comprising:
a heater base comprising a first connector having a first electrical coupler; and
one or more rails extending along a portion of the first connector; and
a breathing gas tube provided with a second connector, the second connector comprising a second electrical coupler, one or more channels extending along a portion of the second connector and an extending portion projecting forward from an end of the second connector opposite from the breathing tube,
wherein the one or more channels are arranged to receive the one or more rails so as to align the second connector to the first connector when the two are removably coupled together, in use, and
wherein the heater base comprises a hood or shroud portion projecting forward from the heater base in a generally horizontal direction, the hood or shroud portion arranged to at least partially receive and cover at least the extending portion of the second connector so as to reduce likelihood of liquid coming into contact with the second electrical coupler.
65. The respiratory humidification system of claim 64, wherein upon coupling between the first connector and the second connector a pneumatic connection is provided between a lumen of the second connector and the first connector.
66. The respiratory humidification system of claim 64 or 65, wherein upon coupling between the first connector and second connector electrical connections of the second electrical coupler are brought into contact with corresponding electrical terminals of the first electrical coupler.
67. The respiratory humidification system of claims 64 to 66, wherein the one or more channels form respective shoulders of a support surface of the second connector, such that each shoulder is supported on the respective one or more rails when the first connector and second connector are removably coupled together, in use.
68. The respiratory humidification system of claims 64 to 67, wherein the one or more channels are provided on diametrically opposed sides of a connector body of the second connector.
69. The respiratory humidification system of claim 67, wherein the one or more shoulders form a flared portion at a distal end of a connecting surface of the connector body.
70. The respiratory humidification system of claims 67 to 69, wherein the one or more shoulders are spaced apart from each other and provided on opposite sides of the support surface.
71. The respiratory humidification system of claim 66, wherein the electrical terminals and/or the electrical connections are formed on a printed circuit board.
72. The respiratory humidification system of claim 66, wherein the number of electrical terminals is equal to the number of electrical connections.
73. The respiratory humidification system of claims 66 to 72, wherein the electrical connections of the second connector are spaced apart from each other.
74. The respiratory humidification system of claim 66, wherein the electrical connections of the electrical connector extend beyond the pneumatic connection and electrically and/or communicatively couple to the corresponding terminals.
75. The respiratory humidification system of claim 74, wherein the electrical connections are provided in the extending portion of the connector.
76. The respiratory humidification system of claim 74, wherein at least a portion of the electrical connector extends forward from an end of the extending portion opposite to the breathing tube.
77. The respiratory humidification system of claim 76, wherein the electrical connections comprise edge card connectors or card edge connectors.
78. The respiratory humidification system of claims 64 to 77, wherein the connector comprises removably lockable means configured to removably couple the connector to a humidification apparatus operatively coupled to the heater base in use.
79. The respiratory humidification system of claim 78, wherein the removably lockable means comprises a ring surrounding the lumen and configured to lock the connector to the humidification apparatus.
80. The respiratory humidification system of claim 79, wherein the removably lockable means comprises buttons integral with or operatively coupled to the ring which, when actuated, deform the ring to allow the connector to be decoupled from the humidification apparatus.
81. The connector of claim 48, wherein the electrical connector is formed on a printed circuit board comprising one or more planar electrical contacts.
82. The connector of claim 81, wherein the one or more planar electrical contacts comprise contact pads.
83. The connector of claim 81 or 82, wherein the connector body comprises a support region that underlies and supports the printed circuit board to reduce flexure or deflection of the printed circuit board in use.
84. The connector of claim 83, wherein the support region comprises one or more ribs configured to support the printed circuit board, the one or more ribs extending under a central portion of the printed circuit board.
85. The connector of claim 81 to 84, wherein the printed circuit board is flush with an outer support surface.
86. The connector of claims 81 to 85, wherein the contact pads are flush with the printed circuit board and are spaced apart from each other.
87. A coupler for a humidification system, the coupler being configured to connect, in use, to a circuit connector associated with a breathing tube and to a base unit, the coupler comprising:
a plurality of electrical contact terminals, the electrical contact terminals being located on an underside surface of an extension portion, the coupler being configured such that when it is connected to the base unit the extension portion extends outwardly from the base unit, wherein the plurality of electrical contact terminals are sprung terminals.
88. The coupler of Claim 87, wherein the electrical contact terminals are complementary to electrical contacts of the circuit connector associated with the breathing tube.
89. The coupler of Claim 88. wherein the plurality of electrical contact terminals are bent backwards.
90. The coupler of Claims 87 to 89, wherein the sprung terminals extend from the body beyond a contact surface in a relaxed state and deflect towards the contact surface, in use.
91. The coupler of Claim 90, wherein the contact surface is configured to contact an upper contact surface of the circuit connector.
92. The coupler of Claim 90 or 91, wherein the contact surface is substantially planar.
93. The coupler of Claims 90 to 92, wherein the extension portion comprises a hood or shroud portion extending in a forward, horizontal direction from the base unit, the plurality of electrical contact terminals being positioned on an underside of the hood or shroud portion.
94. The coupler of Claim 93, wherein the plurality of electrical contact terminals and the contact surface are disposed on an insert block that is located on or connected to a portion of the base unit.
95. The coupler of Claim 94, wherein the insert block is configured to be received and/or retained within the extension portion, the extension portion substantially covering the insert block when the insert block is positioned within the hood or shroud portion.

HUMIDIFICATION SYSTEM CONNECTIONS

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

[0001] Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/919485, filed December 20, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/059339, filed October 3, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to methods or devices for providing heated and/or humidified gases to a user, particularly respiratory gases. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to apparatus and techniques that provide for or enable connections between components of a humidification system. The apparatus and techniques disclosed may be used for providing gases to and/or removing gases from a patient, such as in positive airway pressure (PAP), respirator, anaesthesia, ventilator, and insufflation systems.

Description of the Related Art

[0003] Humidification systems have been devised that deliver heated and/or humidified gases for various medical procedures, including respiratory treatment, laparoscopy, and the like. These systems may be configured to control temperature, humidity, and flow rates.

[0004] Humidification systems also include medical circuits, including various components to transport heated and/or humidified gases to and from patients. For example, in some breathing circuits such as PAP or assisted breathing circuits, gases inhaled by a patient are delivered from a heater-humidifier through an inspiratory tube. As another example, tubes may deliver humidified gas (commonly C02) into the abdominal cavity in insufflation

circuits. This may help prevent dessication or drying out of the patient's internal organs, and may decrease the amount of time needed for recovery from surgery. Unheated tubing allows significant heat loss to ambient cooling. This cooling may result in unwanted condensation or "rainout" along the length of the tubing transporting warm, humidified air. Heater wires may extend along at least a portion of the tubing forming the circuit to prevent or at least reduce condensation forming therein.

[0005] While prior arrangements have provided the desired therapies, a need remains for apparatus that provides for greater ease of connection and/or disconnection of components of humidification systems. Accordingly, it is an object of certain features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure to overcome or ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a circuit connector for a humidification system, the humidification system comprising a base unit and a humidification chamber, the humidification chamber being configured to be engageable with the base unit, the circuit connector comprising: an inlet configured to provide a fluid connection to an outlet of the humidification chamber to receive heated and/or humidified gases therefrom; an outlet configured to provide a fluid connection to a conduit for directing the heated and/or humidified gases to or from a patient or other person; and an electrical terminal configured to provide an electrical connection to an electrical terminal associated with the base unit, wherein the circuit connector is configured to make a releasable and lockable connection to the outlet of the humidification chamber, thereby providing the fluid connection from the inlet of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber, such that the circuit connector also provides the electrical connection from the electrical terminal of the circuit connector to the electrical terminal associated with the base unit when the humidification chamber is engaged with the base unit and the circuit connector is connected to the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0007] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, this is provided a circuit connector for a humidification system. The humidification system comprises a base unit and a humidification chamber. The humidification chamber is configured to be

engageable with the base unit. The circuit connector comprises an inlet configured to provide a fluid connection to an outlet of the humidification chamber to receive heated and/or humidified gases therefrom. An outlet is configured to provide a fluid connection to a conduit for directing the heated and/or humidified gases to or from a patient or other person. An electrical terminal is configured to provide an electrical connection to a base unit electrical terminal. The electrical terminal comprises exposed contact pads that are sized, positioned and configured to be brought into contact with the base unit electrical terminal

[0008] In some such configurations, the electrical terminal comprises six equally spaced contact pads. In some such configurations, the six equally spaced contact pads comprise two contact pads for sensor wires, two contact pads for identification, and two contact pads for heater wires. In some such configurations, the two contact pads for the heater wires are longer than the two contact pads for the sensor wires and the two contact pads for identification. In some such configurations, the six equally spaced contact pads all have the same length. In some such configurations, the electrical terminal comprises six contact pads that are not all uniformly spaced apart. In some such configurations, the six equally spaced contact pads comprise two contact pads for sensor wires, two contact pads for identification, and two contact pads for heater wires. In some such configurations, the two contact pads for the heater wires are longer than the two contact pads for the sensor wires and the two contact pads for identification. In some such configurations, the two contact pads for the heater wires are adjacent each other. In some such configurations, the two contact pads for the sensor wires and the two contact pads for identification are uniformly spaced and the two contact pads for the heater wires are spaced apart from each other by the same spacing as between the two contact pads for the sensor wires but the two contact pads for the heater wires are spaced apart from the closest of the two contact pads for the sensor wires and the two contact pads for identification by a distance greater than the distance separating the two contact pads for the heater wires from each other. In some such configurations, the two contact pads for the heater wires are longer than the two contact pads for the sensor wires and the two contact pads for identification. In some such configurations, the contact pads are formed on a circuit board and the printed circuit board is supported by an outer support

surface. In some such configurations, the outer support surface is wider at a distal end than at a proximal end.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the circuit connector comprises an orientator configured to orientate the circuit connector relative to the outlet of the humidification chamber and/or to orientate the electrical terminal of the circuit connector relative to the electrical terminal associated with the base unit.

[0010] The orientator may comprise a recess configured to slidably engage a projection on the outlet of the humidification chamber such that the circuit connector may only be slid onto the outlet of the humidification chamber in a predetermined orientation. Conversely, the orientator may comprise a projection configured to slidably engage a recess in the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0011] The provision of orientation features helps to ensure there is alignment of the electrical terminal of the circuit connector with the electrical terminal associated with the base unit, providing increased ease of assembly. Further, the releasable and lockable connection of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber helps to ensure the correct orientation is maintained.

[0012] The outlet of the humidification chamber may comprise a first portion that extends substantially vertically from the humidification chamber and a second portion that extends substantially horizontally from the first portion, the second portion being downstream of the first portion, in use, wherein the inlet of the circuit connector is configured to provide a fluid connection to the second portion of the circuit connector. According to this embodiment, the circuit connector may comprise a cutout to accommodate the first portion, the cutout inhibiting or limiting engagement of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber when not correctly orientated to accommodate the first portion received in the cutout.

[0013] The cutout may be contoured to have a wider opening and a narrower termination, thereby providing tolerance as to the orientation of the circuit connector on initial engagement and correcting the orientation on continued engagement as the circuit connector is pushed towards the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0014] The electrical terminal of the circuit connector may comprise one or more pins configured to, in use, make contact with one or more tracks of a printed circuit board, the electrical terminal associated with the base unit comprising said printed circuit board. Alternatively, the electrical terminal of the circuit connector may comprise a printed circuit board comprising one or more tracks configured to, in use, make contact with one or more pins, the electrical terminal associated with the base unit comprising said one or more pins.

[0015] The electrical terminal of the circuit connector may alternatively comprise an edge card configured to, in use, be received in an edge card receptacle, the electrical terminal associated with the base unit comprising said edge card receptacle.

[0016] The electrical terminal of the circuit connector may alternatively comprise an edge card receptacle configured to, in use, receive an edge card, the electrical terminal associated with the base unit comprising said edge card.

[0017] Other forms of electrical terminals will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0018] The electrical terminal of the circuit connector may be electrically connected to one or more heater wires and/or one or more sensor wires, the conduit comprising said one or more heater wires and/or said one or more sensor wires, or having said one or more heater wires and/or said one or more sensor wires associated therewith.

[0019] The circuit connector may comprise a recess or projection configured to be engaged by a latch of the humidification chamber (the latch being provided on a wall of the outlet of the humidification chamber), thereby providing said releasable and lockable connection of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0020] The circuit connector may additionally or alternatively comprise a latch configured to engage a recess or projection of a wall of the outlet of the humidification chamber, thereby providing said releasable and lockable connection of the circuit connector to the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0021] The circuit connector may comprise an activator configured for disengaging the latch from the recess or projection to allow removal of the circuit connector from the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0022] The activator may comprise at least one manually depressible button or switch.

[0023] At least a portion of the circuit connector may be receivable inside the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0024] According to a second aspect, there is provided a circuit connector for a humidification system, the humidification system comprising a base unit and a humidification chamber, the circuit connector comprising: an inlet configured to provide a fluid connection to an outlet of the humidification chamber to receive heated and/or humidified gases therefrom; an outlet configured to provide a fluid connection to a conduit for directing heated and/or humidified gases to or from a patient or other person; an electrical terminal configured to provide an electrical connection to an electrical terminal associated with the base unit; and an orientator configured to orientate the circuit connector relative to the outlet of the humidification chamber.

[0025] The electrical terminal of the circuit connector may be substantially parallel to the inlet of the circuit connector and/or to a direction of engagement used to electrically connect the electrical terminal of the circuit connector to the electrical terminal associated with the base unit, thereby enabling both the electrical and fluid connections to be effected in a single motion.