Pharynx aspiration device for minimizing infectious particle exposure during endonasal surgeries

A nasopharynx aspiration device for minimizing infectious particle exposure during endonasal surgeries comprising:

• an elongated balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon located within a distal region thereof and a distal aspiration port that is positioned distal to the balloon, the distal aspiration port defining a distal end of the nasopharynx aspiration device, wherein the distal aspiration port includes a superior aerosol aspirator for aspirating infectious aerosol particles and an inferior liquid/solid aspirator for aspirating liquid and/or solid particles, wherein the superior aerosol aspirator comprises a tubular structure with a plurality of first openings formed circumferentially along a side wall of the tubular structure and the inferior liquid/solid aspirator comprises an expandable sheath that extends radially beyond the superior aerosol aspirator and includes a plurality of second openings formed therein, the expandable sheath being attached at a distal end to the elongated balloon catheter at a location that is proximal to the superior aerosol aspirator so as to position all of the plurality of first openings distal to the inferior liquid/solid aspirator, the expandable sheath being attached at a proximal end to the balloon, the expandable sheath being expandable under inflation of the balloon resulting in a headspace being defined between the balloon and the expandable sheath, the plurality of second openings being in fluid communication with the headspace for collecting the liquid and/or solid particles.