Patent ID: 7263997

Claim:
A respiratory apparatus, comprising: a manifold configured for connection in communication with an artificial airway of a patient; an instrument introduction section comprising: a distal end attached to the manifold for introducing an instrument into the artificial airway of the patient; a proximal end with an opening, the proximal end configured for releasable attachment to the instrument, the opening in the proximal end allowing for insertion of the instrument into the instrument introduction section; and a passageway from the opening in the proximal end to an opening in the distal end, wherein the instrument is movable through the passageway; and a valve located in the instrument introduction section, the valve having a closed position in which the instrument is at least substantially blocked from the artificial airway of the patient, the valve having an open position that allows the instrument to be advanced through the instrument introduction section, wherein the manifold has at least two proximal ports rotatable so as to be in axial alignment with a distal port of the manifold, no more than one of the proximal ports being in axial alignment with the distal port of the manifold at any one time, and the distal end of the instrument introduction section attachable to one of the proximal ports of the manifold.