Manual vacuum abortion equipment. Manual vacuum aspirator (top) and flexible cannula (bottom) used in the abortion of unwanted pregnancies. This equipment is used between 3 and 12 weeks after the last menstrual period (first trimester). The cannula is inserted into the uterus (womb) through the cervix, which is numbed with local anaesthetic. The plunger on the aspirator is pulled back to create a vacuum and it is inserted into the cannula. The valve on the side of the aspirator, the pinch valve, is released to transfer the vacuum to the uterus. This sucks the contents of the uterus into the aspirator. This is a safe and effective form of abortion.