LAERDAL compact suction unit T 4, 800ML

Laerdal Compact Suction Unit T 4 is a battery-powered suction unit developed for prehospital airway management — one of the few portable suction units that delivers sufficient vacuum to handle blood and vomit when there is a risk of aspiration without a mains power connection.

• 800 ml disposable canister in a metal holder with an internal filter and mechanical shut-off valve
• Optional high-efficiency filter kit for situations with a high risk of cross-contamination
• LED display for battery indication and operation in the dark
• Rechargeable NiMH battery (12 V, 1,6 Ah) with 45 minutes of operating time at free flow
• Compatible with both 300 ml and 800 ml canisters — switch quickly between canister sizes
• AC/DC adapter charger (100–240 V), latex-free, 1 kg

The risk of aspiration during unconsciousness or vomiting is one of the most common causes of secondary hypoxia in prehospital care. Laerdal LCSU T 4 delivers continuous vacuum without a power cable, making it suitable for use in an ambulance, emergency department or during medical transport where a mains power connection is unavailable. The NiMH battery provides 45 minutes of operating time at free-flow suction — sufficient for most prehospital assignments — and can be charged during transport or between assignments.

The 800 ml disposable canister is sealed inside a metal holder that protects against leakage and mechanical damage. The internal filter in the lid prevents fluid from reaching the vacuum pump, and the mechanical shut-off valve closes automatically when the canister is full. In environments with a high infection risk — for example, when tuberculosis or blood-borne pathogens are suspected — the standard filter can be replaced with a high-efficiency filter kit that provides an additional barrier against aerosol dispersion. The LED display shows the remaining battery capacity and remains visible in the dark, making the unit suitable for use during night-time call-outs or in dark stairwells.

What distinguishes Laerdal LCSU T 4 from other portable suction units?

Most portable suction pumps in the same price range — such as Medela Basic and Weinmann Accuvac — are either too weak for thick secretions or lack a battery indicator. Laerdal LCSU T 4 delivers sufficient vacuum for blood and stomach contents, and the LED display shows the battery level in real time so that the user is not left without suction in the middle of an operation. The ability to switch between 300 ml and 800 ml canisters without tools makes it easy to adapt the capacity to the type of assignment — shorter journeys require less volume, and reduced weight matters when the unit is carried on stairs or across terrain. The metal holder is more robust than the plastic canisters used by competitors, reducing the risk of cracking if dropped or knocked.

Under the ABCDE protocol, airway problems are managed under A (Airway). Suction is a necessary part of airway management before intubation or supraglottic airway instrumentation can be performed safely. Laerdal LCSU T 4 is used by ambulance services, emergency departments and anaesthesia departments where portability and reliability without a mains power connection are essential. The unit is supplied with a charger and an 800 ml canister. Replacement canisters and the high-efficiency filter kit are sold separately.