Patent ID: 8534287

Claim:
A method for facilitating the conversion from an endotracheal tube to a tracheostomy tube, the method comprising: providing a T-connector having an in-line inlet port, a side inlet port, and an outlet port; coupling the outlet port of the T-connector to a proximal end of an indwelling endotracheal tube; coupling a side inlet port of the T-connector to an external ventilator, said external ventilator configured to deliver air through the outlet port of the T-connector; inserting an endotracheal tube cleaning device comprising a visualization lumen having a window at a sealed distal end into the in-line inlet port of the T-connector; inserting a visualization scope within the visualization lumen; 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 a patient; performing a percutaneous tracheostomy while visualizing the trachea beyond the distal tip of the endotracheal tube using the visualization scope; inserting a tracheostomy tube within the trachea; confirming the proper positioning of the tracheostomy tube; and removing the endotracheal tube from the patient.