Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Inhalation Airflow Dynamics in a Human Pharyngeal Airway

Yaming Fan, Jingliang Dong, Lin Tian, Kiao Inthavong and Jiyuan Tu
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Yaming Fan: Indoor Environment Engineering Research Center of Fujian Province, College of Ecological Environment and Urban Construction, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou 350118, China
Jingliang Dong: Indoor Environment Engineering Research Center of Fujian Province, College of Ecological Environment and Urban Construction, Fujian University of Technology, Fuzhou 350118, China
Lin Tian: School of Engineering, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Kiao Inthavong: School of Engineering, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia
Jiyuan Tu: School of Engineering, RMIT University, P.O. Box 71, Bundoora, VIC 3083, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-14

Abstract: This paper presents a computational and experimental study of steady inhalation in a realistic human pharyngeal airway model. To investigate the intricate fluid dynamics inside the pharyngeal airway, the numerical predicted flow patterns are compared with in vitro measurements using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) approach. A structured mesh with 1.4 million cells is used with a laminar constant flow rate of 10 L/min. PIV measurements are taken in three sagittal planes which showed flow acceleration after the pharynx bend with high velocities in the posterior pharyngeal wall. Computed velocity profiles are compared with the measurements which showed generally good agreements with over-predicted velocity distributions on the anterior wall side. Secondary flow patterns on cross-sectional slices in the transverse plane revealed vortices posterior of pharynx and a pair of secondary flow vortexes due to the abrupt cross-sectional area increase. Finally, pressure and flow resistance analysis demonstrate that greatest pressure occurs in the superior half of the airway and maximum in-plane pressure variation is observed at the velo-oropharynx junction, which expects to induce a high tendency of airway collapse during inhalation. This study provides insights of the complex fluid dynamics in human pharyngeal airway and can contribute to a reliable approach to assess the probability of flow-induced airway collapse and improve the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

Keywords: human pharynx; numerical simulation; in vitro measurements; airway collapse; obstructive sleep apnea (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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