Three-dimensional computer modeling of the human upper respiratory tract

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Respiratory System Modeling

Background:

• Accurate airflow and particle transport simulations in the respiratory system are crucial for aerosol therapy and inhalation toxicology.
• Detailed airway morphology is essential for realistic in vivo simulations.
• Existing models may lack the necessary anatomical detail for precise in vivo replication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a three-dimensional (3D) physiologically realistic computer model of the human upper respiratory tract (URT).
• To create a foundational tool for advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of airflow and particle transport.
• To support applications in aerosol medicine and inhalation toxicology.

Main Methods:

• Developed a 3D model of the URT, including extrathoracic (ET) and upper airway passages.
• Utilized serial sectioning, scanning, and digitization of a silicone rubber impression for the ET region.
• Generated numerical grids using specialized software and employed 3D curvilinear grids with a multiblock method for mesh generation.

Main Results:

• Successfully created a unified 3D computer model of the human upper respiratory tract.
• The model integrates detailed morphology of the nasal, oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal passages, trachea, and main bronchi.
• Generated numerical grids suitable for future CFD simulations.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3D URT model provides a realistic anatomical representation for advanced simulations.
• This model is a significant advancement for research in aerosol drug delivery and inhalation risk assessment.
• It serves as a cornerstone for future computational studies of respiratory system phenomena.