Patent ID: 7191782

Claim:
A respiratory suction catheter apparatus, comprising: a suction catheter having a tubular portion with a distal end and a lumen, the suction catheter adapted for removing fluids from a patient by insertion of the tubular portion into an artificial airway of the patient and the application of negative pressure to the lumen; a catheter attachment section comprising: a passageway therethrough allowing for passage of the tubular portion of the suction catheter; a proximal end attached to the suction catheter; and a distal end configured for releasable attachment within an artificial airway structure attached to the patient such that the distal end of the catheter attachment section is concentric within the artificial airway structure; and a valve located entirely within the distal end of the catheter attachment section so as not to contact the artificial airway structure and to be removed with the catheter attachment section, the valve having a closed position in which the tubular portion of the suction catheter is at least substantially blocked from the artificial airway of the patient, the valve having an open position allowing the tubular portion of the suction catheter to be advanced through the catheter attachment section and into the artificial airway of the patient.