A suction machine, also known as an aspirator, is a type of medical device that is primarily used for removing obstructions — like mucus, saliva, blood, or secretions — from a person’s airway. When an individual is unable to clear secretions due to a lack of consciousness or an ongoing medical procedure, suction machines help them breathe by maintaining a clear airway.

Some common uses include:
1. Removing respiratory secretions when the patient is unable to.
2. Assisting a patient that is vomiting while seizing or unconscious.
3. Clearing blood from the airway.
4. Removing a foreign substance from a patient’s windpipe and/or lungs (pulmonary aspiration).