Numerical analysis on deposition of particulate matters in respiratory tract / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the regular pattern of inhalational particulate matter deposition in respiratory tract and its influencing factors during breathing by numerical simulation method. Methods Three-dimensional finite element model of normal human respiratory tract was established to simulate the airflow distributions in respiratory tract during inspiration. The particles were released at the entrance of nose or mouth to simulate the deposition process of suspended particles by inhaled airflow in respiratory tract. Different parameters such as particle diameter, particle density and flow rate of air volume were used for comparative analysis to investigate their functions as influencing factors when particle deposition happened in respiratory tract. Results The particles were mainly deposited in nasal threshold, nasal middle airway, nasopharynx, and bronchial inner wall of respiratory tract. The particle deposition rate increased with the parameters of particle diameter, particle density and air volume flow rate increasing. The influence of different parameters on the deposition rate was not the same. Conclusions The particle is mainly deposited at the site with complex geometry or at the position where path direction changes violently. Particle diameter, density and breathing airflow rate will affect the deposition rate in respiratory tract. These research findings will provide numerical references for the clinical assessment on risk of respiratory diseases caused by air pollution.