Vacuum pump (18) for a medical aspirator (10), the pump (18) comprising a tubular member (20); a piston (22) slidably arranged within the tubular member (20); a piston rod (24) connected to the piston (22); and a coupling mechanism (36) for detachably and functionally connecting the piston rod (24) to a motor (38) for driving the pump (18), wherein the piston rod (24) is configured to reciprocate linearly during operation of the pump (18).