Prediction of particle deposition in the lungs based on simple modeling of alveolar mixing

S Georgakakou; K Gourgoulianis; Z Daniil; V Bontozoglou

doi:10.1016/j.resp.2015.12.009

Prediction of particle deposition in the lungs based on simple modeling of alveolar mixing

Respir Physiol Neurobiol. 2016 May:225:8-18. doi: 10.1016/j.resp.2015.12.009. Epub 2016 Jan 12.

Authors

S Georgakakou¹, K Gourgoulianis², Z Daniil², V Bontozoglou³

Affiliations

¹ Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38334 Volos, Greece.
² Pulmonology Clinic, Medical School, University of Thessaly, 41000 Larissa, Greece.
³ Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Thessaly, 38334 Volos, Greece. Electronic address: bont@mie.uth.gr.

PMID: 26790361
DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2015.12.009

Abstract

A simplified model of particle deposition in the lungs has been developed and implemented, based on the hypothesis that perfect mixing takes place in the alveolar volume of each airway generation. This key idea is combined with purely convective transport along airways, driven by steady alveolar expansion and contraction, and results in an analytically tractable model. Predictions of the model, and in particular pulmonary deposition, are found in very good agreement with detailed benchmark data in the literature for particle diameters d ≥ 0.1 μm. The success of this simple model provides indirect evidence in favor of the role of alveolar mixing in the deposition process.

Keywords: Alveolar mixing; Analytic modeling; Kinematic irreversibility; Particle deposition.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Validation Study

MeSH terms

Air
Algorithms
Animals
Bronchi / physiology
Models, Cardiovascular*
Pulmonary Alveoli / physiology*
Respiration