FILTRATION UNIT FOR ASPIRATING INFECTIOUS AEROSOLS AND SPRAY DROPLETS EXPELLED FROM A PATIENT'S MOUTH AND METHOD FOR ASPIRATING SUCH INFECTIOUS AEROSOLS AND SPRAY DROPLETS

A filtration unit for aspirating infectious aerosols and spray droplets expelled from a patient's mouth is disclosed. The filtration unit has a housing defining an air inlet; an articulated tube assembly fluidly connected to the air inlet; a hood connected to the tube assembly; a fan disposed in the lower portion of the housing; and at least one filter disposed in the housing vertically above the fan and fluidly between the air inlet and at least one air outlet defined in the filtration unit. During operation of the fan, air flows sequentially through the hood, then through the articulated tube assembly, then through the air inlet into the housing, then through the at least one filter, and then out of the housing via the at least one air outlet. A method of using the filtration unit is also disclosed.