A heat-sterilizable vacuum system (Legend) featuring a skirt technology that confines the user's hand to the sterile instruments during initial hose coupling and during patient treatment is described. Because the user does not grasp the non-sterile vacuum hose connector and hose, plastic barriers and mandatory disinfection of the hose connector, hose, and instrument holders after each patient are not necessary. The vacuum system described promotes asepsis by using sterile vacuum instruments, encourages sound asepsis practice, prevents cross-contamination, and is cost-effective.