人体上呼吸道三维数值模型的建立与气体流场数值模拟分析

Reconstruction of three-dimensional numerical model and numerical simulation of airflow in a human upper airway

目的:快速重建人体上呼吸道三维数值模型,分析上呼吸道解剖结构与流场分布特征。方法:基于健康志愿者头颅CT图像,重建人体上呼吸道三维数值模型,利用计算流体力学方法对上呼吸道气流进行数值模拟。结果:快速建立了包含鼻腔、咽和喉在内的上呼吸道三维数值模型,获取上呼吸道详细的解剖结构和气流分布特征。数值模拟结果表明,在鼻瓣膜区、鼻咽部、会厌上下缘部位呈现较大的速度梯度。结论:所建模型具有良好的仿真性,数值模拟结果提供人体呼吸道气体流动的基本趋势,证实所建上呼吸道三维数值模型可满足流体力学分析的需要,为异常上呼吸道气体流动特征提供对照数据和研究基础。

PURPOSE： To rapidly reconstruct a three-dimensional numerical model of the human upper airway and investigate the relationship between anatomical structures with airflow distribution by using the computational fluid dynamics. METHODS： A three-dimensional model of the human upper airway was reconstructed based on computed tomographic images of a healthy volunteer’s skull. Numerical simulation of the upper airway airflow was performed by using computational fluid dynamics（CFD）method. RESULTS： A three-dimensional model of the human upper airway including nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx was reconstructed rapidly. A detailed anatomical structure and velocity distribution characteristics of airflow was obtained and a large velocity gradient in nasal valve area, nasopharynx, up and downstream of epiglottis was found. CONCLUSIONS： The model has good simulation of upper airway.Numerical simulation results provide the basic trend of airflow of the upper respiratory tract.The numerical model meets the needs of computational fluid dynamics analysis, and provide data control and research foundation for pathologic upper airway airflow numerical simulation.Supported by Research Fund of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality （Grant No. 08DZ2271100） and Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project（Grant No.T0202）.