Ohio Medical Unveils Care-e-vac Portable Suction Flow Machines

GURNEE, Illinois—Ohio Medical, a manufacturer of medical gas equipment and respiratory care technology, has introduced its new Care-e-vac portable suction flow machines. Ohio Medical offers three Care-e-vac models to address the needs of different environments:

• The Care-e-vac continuous/intermittent (C/I) machine that provides precise low-vacuum control for applications that include gastric suctioning through nasogastric tubes, wound drainage systems, delicate applications where constant suction could damage tissue and long-term suction therapy.
• The Care-e-vac PLUS machine for patient transportation, general ward and hospital emergency suction (crash carts).
• The Care-e-vac EMS machine for ambulances and hospital crash carts.

Key features include a quick-release slide mount and bracket tested to 10g (or 10 times the Earth’s normal rate of gravity) of acceleration in all directions, a rechargeable lead-acid battery with extended runtime, disposable or reusable canisters in 1 or 2 liter sizes, a waterproof On/Off switch and a bacteria filter. The units are differentiated by label color: grey for the Care-e-vac PLUS model, red for the Care-e-vac EMS model and blue for the Care-e-vac C/I model. 

“The Care-e-vac PLUS model replaces our previous Care-e-vac 3 machine with a lighter, quieter and modernized design, while the new Care-e-vac EMS and intermittent/continuous models give healthcare providers solutions tailored to specific care environments,” said Gerry Frank, global product manager, Suction Oxygen Therapy Division at Ohio Medical.

The Care-e-vac C/I machine is specifically for therapies requiring precise, low-flow conditions in hospital settings. There are three intermittent timing options: 10 seconds on/5 seconds off, 20 seconds on/10 seconds off, and 40 seconds on/20 seconds off. Free air flow is 5 liters per minute with a maximum vacuum of 150 mm Hg readable on a digital vacuum gauge. The membrane type pump provides quiet operation of <46 dB(A) and runs for up to 120 minutes from a full charge on the 12VDC internal battery. The unit connects to 100-240 VAC for continuous use and charging the battery through the internal charging circuit. The unit weighs 7.1 pounds and comes with an additional cable for charging via 12/24 VDC vehicle current.

The company said the Care-e-vac Plus and Care-e-vac EMS machines offer identical performance with features tailored for different environments, as Care-e-vac EMS models feature a powered mounting bracket that automatically recharges the unit while mounted in an ambulance or on a crash cart, eliminating the need for separate charging cables. Their piston-type suction pumps run quietly (< 60 dB(A)), produce a maximum vacuum of 630 mmHg (readable on built-in analog gauge), provide free air flow of 30 liters per minute and run for up to 65 minutes from a full charge on the 12 VDC internal battery. The units weigh 9.26 pounds, and the Plus model comes with an external AC/DC battery charger. Both have an additional cable for charging via 12/24 VDC current available from a vehicle. 

Optional accessories for the new Care-e-vac machines include reusable collection jars, disposable canisters, transport bags, mobile trolleys and wall-mounting solutions, which further support use across fixed and mobile healthcare environments. All units feature durable acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic, oil- and maintenance-free operation and a two-year warranty.