呼吸道内颗粒物沉积的数值模拟

目的通过数值模拟方法研究人呼吸过程中吸入的颗粒物在呼吸道内的沉积规律及其影响因素。方法建立正常人呼吸道三维数值模型,模拟吸气过程中气流在呼吸道内的分布规律。在鼻孔或口等气流入口处释放颗粒,模拟悬浮颗粒物随着吸入气流在呼吸道内的沉积过程。同时改变颗粒物直径、密度、呼吸气流速率等参数,通过对比分析,研究颗粒物在呼吸道内沉积的影响因素。结果颗粒物在呼吸道内主要沉积在鼻阈、固有鼻腔气道中部、鼻咽部以及支气管内壁,并且颗粒物的沉积率随着其直径、密度、呼吸气流速率的增大而增加,几个参数对沉积率的影响程度也不相同。结论颗粒物在呼吸道内主要沉积在气道几何形状复杂或者气道走向剧烈改变的位置,颗粒物的直径、密度、呼吸气流速率均会影响到其在呼吸道内的沉积率。研究结果可为空气污染引发呼吸道疾病风险的临床评估提供数值依据。

Numerical analysis on deposition of particulate matters in respiratory tract

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.