Hi, Margaret, the suction machine is a small, portable unit that will sit on a bedside table It works pretty much like what a dentist uses to suction saliva, etc. from your mouth while you are in the chair. It has a variable speed motor with a tube attatched to suction mucous and excess saliva from your mouth into a recepticle. If you ask Dan's Doc to write a script for one, the Ins. Company should pay for the rental[they can be rented by the month] and some people use them for a long enough period to buy one. They can be ordered through most Home Health Care companies. It was a great relief for John and others here have found relief using one. Amy in the Ozarks