Medical multiple access low dead space anti-microbial aspirating/ventilating closed system improvements and methods

A method for selectively providing a plurality of different types of respiratory therapies in combination with an endotracheal tube, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing adapter means adapted for connection to an end of an endotracheal tube, said adapter means comprising a pair of connection ports, at least one of said ports being adapted for connection to a ventilator means;
• providing a plurality of interchangeable catheter cartridge means for providing any one of several desired types of respiratory therapies and adapted to be releasably and interchangeably connected to one of said ports, said plurality of catheter cartridge means including:
• first catheter cartridge means for aspirating fluids therethrough and adapted for connection to a source of vacuum;
• and
• second catheter cartridge means, selectively interchangeable with said first catheter cartridge, for delivering a fluid through an endotracheal tube;
• connecting one of said plurality of catheter cartridge means with said adapter means to form a first connection assembly;
• and
• disconnecting said one of said plurality of catheter cartridge means from said adapter means and connecting another of said plurality of catheter cartridge means with said adapter means to form a second connection assembly.

A method for selectively providing a plurality of different types of respiratory therapies in combination with an endotracheal tube, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a Y-adapter for connection to an end of an endotracheal tube, said Y-adapter comprising a distal fitting adapted for connection to an endotracheal tube, a first proximal fitting adapted for connection to a ventilator means, and a second proximal fitting;
• providing a plurality of interchangeable catheter cartridges, each of which provides a desired types of respiratory therapy, said plurality of catheter cartridges including:
• a first catheter cartridge adapted for connection to a source of vacuum comprising an aspirating catheter enclosed within a collapsible sheath, a first connector for selective, releasable fluid-tight connection to said second proximal fitting of said adapter means, an integral wash chamber formed in said first connector surrounding a portion of said aspirating catheter, a liquid introduction assembly that carries liquid directly from a liquid dispensing container into said integral wash chamber without passing through said Y-adapter, a second connector adapted for fluid-tight connection to a source of vacuum, and valve means in fluid communication with said aspirating catheter and operable to selectively place said aspirating catheter and an endotracheal tube in communication with a source of vacuum to effect aspiration of fluids therethrough;
• and
• a second catheter cartridge for delivery of fluid through an endotracheal tube comprising a fluid delivery catheter enclosed within a collapsible sheath, a first connector for selective, releasable fluid-tight connection to said second proximal fitting of the Y-adapter so as to be selectively interchangeable with said first catheter cartridge, and a second connector for fluid-tight connection to a source of fluid to be delivered;
• selectively connecting said first and second catheter cartridges with said Y-adapter in order to form one or more desired connection assemblies for providing said variety of respiratory therapies.

An apparatus for selectively providing a plurality of different types of respiratory therapies in combination with an endotracheal tube, said apparatus comprising:

• adapter means adapted for connection to an end of an endotracheal tube, said adapter means comprising a pair of connection ports, at least one of said ports being adapted for connection to a ventilator means;
• and
• a plurality of interchangeable catheter cartridge means for providing any one of several desired types of respiratory therapies and adapted to be releasibly and interchangeably connected to one of said ports, said plurality of catheter cartridge means comprising:
• first catheter cartridge means for aspirating fluids therethrough, adapted for connection to a source of vacuum, and comprising an aspirating catheter enclosed within a collapsible sheath, first connector means for selective, releasable fluid-tight connection to one of said ports of said adapter means, an integral wash chamber formed in said first connector means, liquid introduction means for carrying liquid directly from a liquid dispensing container into said integral wash chamber without passing through said adapter means, second connector means adapted for fluid-tight connection to a source of vacuum, and valve means in fluid communication with said aspirating catheter and operable to selectively place said aspirating catheter and an endotracheal tube in communication with a source of vacuum to effect aspiration of fluids therethrough;
• and
• second catheter cartridge means for delivering a fluid through an endotracheal tube and comprising a fluid delivery catheter enclosed within a collapsible sheath, first connector means for selective, releasable fluid-tight connection to said one of said ports of said adapter means so as to be selectively interchangeable with said first catheter cartridge means, and second connector means for fluid-tight connection to a source of fluid to be delivered,
• wherein said apparatus in a first arrangement of parts for providing aspiration of fluids comprises said first catheter cartridge means releasably connected to said adapter means, and
• wherein said apparatus in a second arrangement of parts for delivering a fluid through an endotracheal tube comprises said second catheter cartridge means releasably connected to said adapter means.

An apparatus for selectively providing a plurality of different types of respiratory therapies in combination with an endotracheal tube, said apparatus comprising:

• adapter means adapted for connection to an end of an endotracheal tube, said adapter means comprising a pair of connection ports, at least one of said ports being adapted for connection to a ventilator means;
• and
• a plurality of interchangeable catheter cartridge means for providing any one of several desired types of respiratory therapies and adapted to be releasibly and interchangeably connected to one of said ports, said plurality of catheter cartridge means comprising:
• first catheter cartridge means for aspirating fluids therethrough and adapted for connection to a source of vacuum;
• and
• second catheter cartridge means, selectively interchangeable with said first catheter cartridge, for delivering a fluid through an endotracheal tube,
• wherein said apparatus in a first arrangement of parts for providing aspiration of fluids comprises said first catheter cartridge means releasably connected to said adapter means, and
• wherein said apparatus in a second arrangement of parts for delivering a fluid through an endotracheal tube comprises said second catheter cartridge means releasably connected to said adapter means.