A suction pump is a life-saving device used in all neonatal units. It’s used to clear nostrils and airways of babies, particularly when they are on respiratory support with oxygen or CPAP.

The Fazzini suction pump works in a very similar way to other suction devices. Inside, there is an electrical pump which sucks the air through a port on the top of the machine. That in turn sucks the air out of the reservoir, creating a vacuum inside the reservoir and along the tubing, which goes to the patient.

Fluids from the patient are sucked into the reservoir.

In the lid, there is a float valve, which should prevent any liquids being sucked into the tube that goes back to the device and to the internal pump. There is a bacterial filter in the tube designed to prevent germs being sucked into the pump.

On the device, there is a pressure gauge which shows you the amount of suction, and there is a regulator knob which allows you to increase and decrease the amount of suction. Inside the pump, you can see that there are two separate circuits, either of which can develop faults.

There is an electrical circuit. This enters the device from the main power lead. It goes through the on/off switch.

It then feeds the pump and also an electrical fan, which keeps everything cool.

The second circuit is all the tubing where the air is sucked. When you look inside the lid, you can see that the tube coming from the reservoir and the patient enters here, and this is the same patient port seen from the outside of the lid. The circuit then goes to a four-way connector.

The shortest tube connects with the pressure gauge.

Another tube goes to the regulator knob.

The longest tube goes to the suction pump.

Let’s have a look at that from the other side, this time without the lid. The air is sucked in from the patient port here. The shortest tube goes to the pressure gauge, then the longer tube goes to the regulator knob.

The tube going to the pump starts here, goes underneath the pump, and comes out the other side. The tube goes into the pump here, the lower of two nozzles.

The final tube attached to the top nozzle takes the air pushed out of the pump and expels it from the device. It is like an exhaust tube. It is really important not to get these tubes muddled up.
The bottom nozzle is called the suction side or vacuum side. If you put the tubes on the wrong way around, you will end up pushing air into the baby rather than sucking.

To access the internal parts of the pump, first remove all the tubing.

Then remove the suction bottle.

Make sure the pump is disconnected from the mains before you go any further.

The pump is held together by four screws. You will need a Phillips screwdriver to undo them.

Make sure you put the screws somewhere safe or they will get lost.

You can now gently separate the top cover from the base.

If you want to completely remove the top cover, you will need to take off the tube connecting the two. It is easiest if you first also take off the exhaust tube which is on top.

Now use a screwdriver to gently prise off the bottom one. Be careful not to damage the tube, as any leakage would affect the device suctioning properly.

Make sure you remember to which nozzle the tubes should be attached. Finally, slide the tubing out from under the pump.