Respiratory apparatus having an introduction section configured for releasable attachment with a respiratory instrument

1. A respiratory apparatus, comprising:

an instrument introduction section adapted for introducing an instrument into an artificial airway of a patient, the instrument introduction section comprising:

a proximal end with an opening, the proximal end configured for releasable attachment and insertion of the instrument into the instrument introduction section;

a distal end configured for releasable attachment with an artificial airway structure attached to the artificial airway of the patient; and

a passageway from the opening in the proximal end to an opening in the distal end such that the instrument is moveable through the passageway;

a valve located entirely within the instrument introduction section and substantially outside of the artificial airway structure, the valve having a closed position in which at least a portion of the passageway is at least substantially blocked from the artificial airway of the patient, the valve having an open position allowing the instrument to be moved through the instrument introduction section and into the artificial airway of the patient;

a cleaning section located in the instrument introduction section proximal from the valve; and

an irrigation port in communication with the cleaning section, the irrigation port configured for allowing fluid to be transferred therethrough into the cleaning section.

2. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cap configured to engage the proximal end of the instrument introduction section, the cap having an opening allowing for insertion of the instrument into the opening in the proximal end of the instrument introduction section.

3. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plug configured to engage the proximal end of the instrument introduction section to close the opening in the proximal end of the instrument introduction section.

4. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instrument is selected from the group consisting of a suction catheter, an endoscope, and a bronchoscope.

5. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the instrument is a suction catheter, the proximal end of the instrument introduction section configured for releasable attachment with the suction catheter, the suction catheter having a tubular portion advanceable through the passageway of the instrument introduction section.

6. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the valve is a single flap.

7. The respiratory apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the single flap has an aperture therethrough, the single flap is adapted to be opened by insertion of the instrument through the instrument introduction section.

8. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the valve is biased towards the closed position.

9. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the instrument introduction section is releasably attachable to the artificial airway structure by a friction fit arrangement.

10. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the instrument introduction section has threading thereon for being releasably attachable to the artificial airway structure by a threaded engagement.

11. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the instrument introduction section has at least one barb located thereon for being releasably attachable to the artificial airway structure.

12. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 ,further comprising a clamping ring engageable with the distal end of the instrument introduction section and adapted to releasably attach the instrument introduction section to the artificial airway structure.

13. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the artificial airway structure is selected from the group consisting of a rotatable manifold, an elbow manifold, a T-manifold, and a Y-manifold.

14. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the artificial airway structure has a valve located therein for preventing air loss.

15. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising;

a cap configured to engage the proximal end of the instrument introduction section, the cap having an opening that allows for insertion of the instrument into the opening in the proximal end of the instrument introduction section; and

a plug having a plug tether, the plug insertable into the opening in the cap to close the opening in the cap.

16. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a cap configured to engage a port of the artificial airway structure, the cap having an opening that allows for insertion of the instrument into the artificial airway structure; and

a plug having a plug tether, the plug insertable into the opening in the cap to close the opening in the cap.

17. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a positive end expiratory pressure cap adapted to close the proximal end of the instrument introduction section.

18. A respiratory apparatus, comprising:

an artificial airway structure attached to an artificial airway of a patient;

an instrument introduction section adapted for introducing an instrument into the artificial airway of the patient, the instrument introduction section comprising:

a proximal end with an opening;

a distal end configured for releasable attachment with the artificial airway structure; and

a passageway from the opening in the proximal end to an opening in the distal end;

a valve located entirely within the instrument introduction section and substantially outside of the artificial airway structure, the valve substantially blocking at least a portion of the passageway when in a closed position, the valve having an open position allowing the instrument to be moved through the instrument introduction section;

a cleaning section provided in the instrument introduction section proximal from the valve when the valve is in the closed position;

an irrigation port in communication with the cleaning section, the irrigation port configured for allowing fluid to be transferred therethrough into the cleaning section; and

a plug engageable with the proximal end of the instrument introduction section, the plug adapted to isolate the passageway from the environment by closing the opening in the proximal end.

19. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a wiper seal located in the instrument introduction section proximal from the valve.

20. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the valve is a single flap.

21. The respiratory apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the single flap has an aperture therethrough, the single flap is adapted to be opened by insertion of the instrument through the instrument introduction section.

22. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the valve is biased towards the closed position.

23. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the distal end of the instrument introduction section is releasably attachable to the artificial airway structure by a friction fit arrangement.

24. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the distal end of the instrument introduction section has threading thereon for being releasably attachable to said artificial airway structure by a threaded engagement.

25. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the distal end of the instrument introduction section has at least one barb located thereon for being releasably attachable to the artificial airway structure.

26. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a clamping ring engageable with the distal end of the instrument introduction section and adapted to releasably attach the instrument introduction section to the artificial airway structure.

27. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the artificial airway structure is selected from the group consisting of a rotatable manifold, an elbow manifold, a T-manifold, and a Y-manifold.

28. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising a cap configured to engage the proximal end of the instrument introduction section, the cap having an opening allowing for insertion of the instrument into the opening in the proximal end of the instrument introduction section.

29. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the instrument is selected from the group consisting of a suction catheter, an endoscope, and a bronchoscope.

30. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the instrument is a suction catheter, the proximal end of the instrument introduction section configured for releasable attachment with the suction catheter, the suction catheter having a tubular portion advanceable through the passageway of the instrument introduction section.

31. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the artificial airway structure has a valve located therein for preventing air loss.

32. The respiratory apparatus of claim 18 , further comprising:

a cap configured to engage the proximal end of the instrument introduction section, the cap having an opening that allows for insertion of the instrument into the opening in the proximal end of the instrument introduction section; and

a plug tether connected to the plug, and wherein the plug is insertable into the opening in the cap to close the opening in the cap while at the same time adapted to isolate the passageway of the instrument introduction section from the environment by closing the opening in the proximal end and the opening in the cap.

33. A respiratory apparatus, comprising:

an instrument introduction section adapted for introducing an instrument into an artificial airway of a patient, the instrument introduction section comprising:

a proximal end with an opening configured for insertion of the instrument into the instrument introduction section;

a distal end configured for releasable attachment with an artificial airway structure attached to the artificial airway of the patient, the distal end being releasably attached by a friction fit arrangement; and

a passageway from the opening in the proximal end to an opening in the distal end such that the instrument is movable through the passageway;

a single flap valve located entirely within the instrument introduction section and substantially outside of the artificial airway structure, the single flap valve having a closed position in which at least a portion of the passageway is at least substantially blocked from the artificial airway of the patient, the valve having an open position allowing the instrument to be moved through the instrument introduction section and into the artificial airway of the patient;

a cleaning section provided in the instrument introduction section proximal from the valve when the valve is in the closed position;

an irrigation port in communication with the cleaning section, the irrigation port configured for allowing fluid to be transferred therethrough into the cleaning section;

a wiper seal located in the instrument introduction section and proximal from the cleaning section;

a cap configured to engage the proximal end of the instrument introduction section, the cap having an opening allowing for insertion of the instrument into the opening in the proximal end of the instrument introduction section; and

a plug connected to the cap by a tether, the plug insertable into the opening in the cap to close the opening in said cap.

34. The respiratory apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a wiper seal located in the instrument introduction section proximal from the valve.

35. A respiratory apparatus, comprising:

an instrument introduction section adapted for introducing an instrument into an artificial airway of a patient, the instrument introduction section comprising:

a proximal end with an opening, the proximal end configured for releasable attachment and insertion of the instrument into the instrument introduction section;

a distal end configured for releasable attachment with an artificial airway structure attached to the artificial airway of the patient; and

a passageway from the opening in the proximal end to an opening in the distal end such that the instrument is moveable through the passageway;

a valve located entirely within the instrument introduction section and substantially outside of the artificial airway structure, the valve having a closed position in which at least a portion of the passageway is at least substantially blocked from the artificial airway of the patient, the valve having an open position allowing the instrument to be moved through the instrument introduction section and into the artificial airway of the patient;

a cap configured to engage the proximal end of the instrument introduction section, the cap having an opening that allows for insertion of the instrument into the opening in the proximal end of the instrument introduction section; and

a plug having a plug tether, the plug insertable into the opening in the cap to close the opening in the cap.

36. A respiratory apparatus, comprising:

an instrument introduction section adapted for introducing an instrument into an artificial airway of a patient, the instrument introduction section comprising:

a proximal end with an opening, the proximal end configured for releasable attachment and insertion of the instrument into the instrument introduction section;

a distal end configured for releasable attachment with an artificial airway structure attached to the artificial airway of the patient; and

a passageway from the opening in the proximal end to an opening in the distal end such that the instrument is moveable through the passageway;

a valve located entirely within the instrument introduction section and substantially outside of the artificial airway structure, the valve having a closed position in which at least a portion of the passageway is at least substantially blocked from the artificial airway of the patient, the valve having an open position allowing the instrument to be moved through the instrument introduction section and into the artificial airway of the patient;

a cap configured to engage a port of the artificial airway structure, the cap having an opening that allows for insertion of the instrument into the artificial airway structure; and

a plug having a plug tether, the plug insertable into the opening in the cap to close the opening in the cap.