Patent ID: 9332891
Filing Date: 2016-05-10
CPC Classification: A61B,A61M

Claim Text:
1. A method for facilitating the conversion from an endotracheal tube to a tracheostomy tube, the method comprising: coupling an outlet port of a multi-port connector to a proximal end of an indwelling endotracheal tube, wherein the multi-port connector comprises a first inlet port, a second inlet port and an outlet port; coupling the second inlet port of the multi-port connector to an external ventilator, said external ventilator configured to deliver air to the endotracheal tube through the outlet port of the multi-port connector; inserting a cleaning device comprising a visualization lumen having a viewing window at a sealed distal end into the first inlet port of the multi-port connector, wherein the cleaning device comprises a cleaning member configured to remove biofilm from an interior surface of the endotracheal tube; inserting a visualization device within the visualization lumen; suctioning at least one of the endotracheal tube or a portion of a tracheobronchial tree of a patient; withdrawing the endotracheal tube to a position such that the distal end of the endotracheal tube is adjacent to a larynx within a trachea of the patient; performing a percutaneous tracheostomy while visualizing the trachea beyond the distal tip of the endotracheal tube using the visualization device; inserting a tracheostomy tube within the trachea; confirming the proper positioning of the tracheostomy tube; and removing the endotracheal tube from the patient.