Endotracheal catheter with means for positive ventilation and sterile technique

Endotracheal catheter apparatus providing sterile handling for a suction catheter and including ventilating apparatus to replenish the oxygen supply of the lungs after catheterization. The catheter tube is sealingly attached within a sheath or bag at a first end portion of the sheath so that the portion of the tube which is inserted into the trachea and lungs is protected by the sheath from contact with hands etc. The other end of the bag or sheath is sealingly attached to a tip member through which the catheter tube is permitted to slide. Oxygen or air is introduced through an opening in the tip member to fill the sheath so that, after and during catheterization, the sheath is inflated with air or oxygen and then may be compressed to introduce a surge of air or oxygen into the lungs.