A breathing assistance apparatus and method of controlling a breathing assistance apparatus is disclosed. Particularly, the breathing assistance apparatus is controlled such that it has a drying cycle to enable drying of the tubing that supplies gases to a user and prevent the harbouring of pathogens within the tube. The drying cycle is preferably operated automatically by internal controllers in the apparatus. However, it may be manually activated by pressing a button on the apparatus. The drying cycle is preferably activated at the end of a user's treatment session. 15 MAURICE PAYKEL PLACE EAST TAMAKI, AUCKLAND New Zealand FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LIMITED 4105/KOLNP/2007 A 4105/KOLNP/2007 INDIA 2009-03-19T21:41:28Z 2008-05-30 2007-10-25 264510 2006-05-26 PCT/NZ2006/000132 A61M 16/16 WO 2006/126900 PAYTON MATTHEW JON, O'DONNELL KEVIN PETER, QUILL CHRISTOPHER SIMON JAMES, MAKINSON IAN DOUGLAS, DRAKE EMILY JOY, WHITE CRAIG KARL, GLOVER VIRGINIA LOUISE 7616 17 22 0 178 New Zealand 2005-05-26 540402 2008-05-30 0 3Kp5F0K1 2009-04-30T18:30:53Z 25197 PAYTON MATTHEW JON, O'DONNELL KEVIN PETER, QUILL CHRISTOPHER SIMON JAMES, MAKINSON IAN DOUGLAS, DRAKE EMILY JOY, WHITE CRAIG KARL, GLOVER VIRGINIA LOUISE 1729 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE 36202 /app_images/a/a/f/3/66ei_R1112.png