Aspirator (medicine)

For other uses, see Aspirator (disambiguation).

A medical aspirator is a suction machine used to remove mucus, blood, and other bodily fluids from a patient. They can be used during surgical procedures but an operating theater is generally equipped with a central system of vacuum tubes.^[1] Most aspirators are therefore portable, for use in ambulances and nursing homes, and can run on AC or battery power. They consist of a vacuum pump, a vacuum regulator and gauge, a collection canister, and sometimes a bacterial filter. Plastic tubing is used to continuously draw fluid into the collection canister.

Potain's aspirator

In the past manually operated aspirators were used such as Potain's aspirator.^[2]

The contemporary Gomco 4040 Aspirator

A Laerdal portable suction machine with battery and power cord.

See also

• Suction (medicine)