Integration of a variable action suction adapter into ultrasonic aspirators

PURPOSE: Use of ultrasonic aspirators has become a mainstay in the neurosur gical armamentarium. The handpiece design and ultrasonic parameters have ev olved to maximize its safe and efficacious use. Despite these modifications , continuous suction through the tip of the aspirator can result in neurova scular damage, especially when the aspirator is working in the cavernous si nus region or cerebellopontine angle. CONCEPT: We describe the integration of a variable suction adapter into the existing handpiece of an ultrasonic aspirator to minimize potential injury from the continuous forceful suction normally associated with the use of t hese devices. RATIONALE: The integration of such an adapter can reduce the potential for suction injury to cranial nerves or microvascular structures or smaller-cal iber arteries and veins. DISCUSSION: This variable action suction adapter can decrease suction injur ies to cranial nerves or the microvasculature.