Patent ID: 8215306

Claim:
A respiratory access assembly, comprising: a distal plate having one port, the port adapted to be positioned in operable communication with an artificial airway of a patient; a proximal plate including a first port and a second port, the distal plate positioned against the proximal plate in a stacked configuration, each plate configured to move; and an actuator positioned adjacent to at least one plate, the actuator cooperating with at least one plate to permit movement of at least one plate when the actuator is positioned in a movement-enabling position, the actuator cooperating with both plates to lock the plates in a fixed position when the actuator is positioned in a locked position, such that the plates are locked into a predetermined position relative to each other, the actuator including a blocking portion which is configured to extend into at least one port when the actuator is positioned in the movement-enabling position, and to withdraw from the one port when the actuator is positioned in the locked position.