Development of a realistic human respiratory tract cast representing physiological thermal conditions
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Author
Asgari, Mahdi
Lucci, Francesco
Bialek, Jakub
Dunan, Barthelemy
Andreatta, Gaëlle
Smajda, Rita
Lani, Sebastien
Blondiaux, Nicolas
Majeed, Shoaib
Steiner, Sandro
Abstract
Toxicological assessment of inhaled aerosols and their effects on respiratory tissue cells
requires accurate measurements of particle delivery, properties, evolution, and deposition
in the human respiratory tract. These measurements are affected by both anatomical features
and physiological factors, such as thermal conditions in the respiratory system. We
constructed a segmented cast model, based on a realistic geometry of the human
respiratory tract, equipped with features to control the temperature of the air flow. We
then evaluated the thermal equilibrium of the air flow through the cast using both
experimental measurements and computational fluid dynamics modeling. Uniform temperature
distribution in the cast shell was achieved using parallel connection of the cast
segments to a thermal bath by flow splitter. Air temperature inside the cast was shown
to require <1min to equilibrate with the temperature of the cast during internal circulation
of hot water. Air flow temperature was shown to equilibrate with the cast temperature
in the mouth–throat region, and a uniform temperature distribution was achieved in
the other segments, resembling the thermal conditions of respiratory flow in the human
lung. We showed that the cast successfully represents the physiological thermal conditions
of the human respiratory system.
Publication Reference
Aerosol Science and Technology, 53, 8, 860
Year
2019-06-10