A flexible connector (10) couples the inlet end of a tracheotomy tube inner cannula (11) to an outlet port of an in-line catheter (24). The catheter exit end (17) of the connector is adapted to be serially coupled in pneumatic communication with the inlet end of the tracheotomy tube inner cannula and also to guide the downstream tip (23) of the catheter into the inlet end of the inner cannula in response to pushing of the catheter upstream of the catheter outlet port. Thus, the in-line catheter can be inserted into the tracheotomy tube inner cannula with little likelihood of having to compress or "flip" the connector or disconnect the connector from the tracheotomy tube and the patient from the ventilator circuit.
