Abstract: Apparatus for connecting a patient to a breathing device such as a respirator, anesthesia machine or the like is disclosed, including a Y-piece including a patient attachment tube, and a pair of additional attachment tubes adapted for connection to an inhalation tube and an exhalation tube, respectively, and including a bacteria filter disposed within the apparatus and separating the patient attachment tube from the two additional attachment tubes so that gases passing between the patient attachment tube and these two attachment tubes along a predetermined flow path must pass through the bacteria filter. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a partition wall arranged for separating inhaled air and exhaled air during passage through the Y-piece.