Patent ID: 7156827

Claim:
A method of directing localized treatment to the lungs of a patient through an endotracheal or tracheal tube having a distal end inserted to the patient, said tube having communicatively connected thereto a suction line and a ventilation line via a connector means, the method comprising the steps of: integrating to said connector means an input port independent of said suction line and said ventilation line; mounting to the proximal end of said input port a securing means; fitting within said input port a one way valve; inserting a catheter having a distal end to said input port; moving said catheter to open said one way valve; extending said catheter pass said one way valve through said connector means to said tube; moving said catheter along said tube until the distal end of said catheter extends beyond the distal end of said tube; locating the distal end of said catheter to a desired location in the lungs or the bronchial tree of the patient; and guiding via said catheter the localized treatment to said desired location in the lungs or the bronchial tree of the patient.