Patent ID: 7556041

Claim:
A respiratory apparatus, comprising: an instrument introduction section adapted for introducing an instrument into an artificial airway of a patient, the instrument introduction section comprising: a proximal end with an opening, the proximal end configured for releasable attachment and insertion of the instrument into the instrument introduction section; a distal end configured for releasable attachment with an artificial airway structure attached to the artificial airway of the patient; and a passageway from the opening in the proximal end to an opening in the distal end such that the instrument is moveable through the passageway; a valve located entirely within the instrument introduction section and substantially outside of the artificial airway structure, the valve having a closed position in which at least a portion of the passageway is at least substantially blocked from the artificial airway of the patient, the valve having an open position allowing the instrument to be moved through the instrument introduction section and into the artificial airway of the patient; a cleaning section located in the instrument introduction section proximal from the valve; and an irrigation port in communication with the cleaning section, the irrigation port configured for allowing fluid to be transferred therethrough into the cleaning section.