Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a method of performing a percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (“PDT”) that includes inserting a tracheal tube including an inflatable cuff through a mouth and into a trachea of a patient; inserting a bronchoscope into the tracheal tube; inserting a puncturing wire through a channel of the bronchoscope. The puncturing wire includes a sharp cutting end and a dull gripping end. The method also includes puncturing the trachea of the patient with the sharp cutting end of the puncturing wire from within the trachea at a selected location to create a stoma; passing at least one dilator over the sharp cutting end of the puncturing wire for dilating the stoma; inserting a tracheostomy tube into the trachea through the stoma; and removing the puncturing wire from the patient.

Abstract: The endotracheal tube system (10) includes an endotracheal tube (12), an auxiliary sterilizing tube (20), and a sterilizing agent source (28) for sterilization of the endotracheal tube (12) while it is in use. The endotracheal tube (12) is an elongated, hollow tube having a distal end (14) and a proximal end (16). An inflatable cuff (18) is disposed on the elongated hollow tube (12), adjacent the distal end (14). The sterilizing tube (20) has a closed distal end (24) and an open proximal end (22). The closed distal end (24) is secured to the elongated hollow tube (12) adjacent the inflatable cuff (18), and a plurality of pores (26) are formed through at least a portion of the sterilizing tube (20). The sterilizing agent source (28) injects chlorhexidine into the sterilizing tube (20), which is distributed to the elongated hollow tube (12) through pores (26).