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A computational fluid dynamics study of inspiratory flow in orotracheal geometries

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Abstract

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been used to investigate the flow of air through the human orotracheal system. Results from an idealised geometry, and from a patient-specific geometry created from MRI scans were compared. The results showed a significant difference in the flow structures between the two geometries. Inert particles with diameters in the range 1–9 μm were tracked through the two geometries. Particle diameter has proved to be an important factor in defining the eventual destinations of inhaled particles. Results from our calculations match other experimental and computational results in the literature, and differences between the idealised and patient-specific geometries are less significant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter, UK

    T. P. Collins, G. R. Tabor & P. G. Young

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  1. T. P. Collins
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  2. G. R. Tabor
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  3. P. G. Young
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Correspondence to G. R. Tabor.

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Collins, T., Tabor, G. & Young, P. A computational fluid dynamics study of inspiratory flow in orotracheal geometries. Med Bio Eng Comput 45, 829–836 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0238-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11517-007-0238-2

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