湍流状态下鼻腔的几何尺寸与鼻腔阻塞系数的关系

研究正常成年人的鼻腔气道几何尺寸和鼻腔通气程度的关系,对17个志愿者进行鼻阻力测试,并对测试数据进行函数拟合确定鼻腔的阻塞系数.对每个志愿者的鼻腔进行CT扫描,提取每一层CT图像的鼻腔结构的几何数据,如鼻腔气道截面积和截面周长等.对鼻腔阻塞系数和鼻腔结构几何数据进行分析对比,建立气道几何数据与阻塞系数的关系,并确定其中的待定系数.结果表明,可以通过鼻腔气道的截面积、气道长度、湿周长等几何尺寸大致确定鼻腔的通气程度.     

气流作用下气道组织变形的流固耦合研究

悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)是一种治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停(OSA)的常规外科手术,然而由于手术作用机制仍不清楚,手术成功率较低.现有的研究大多忽略了患者上气道的具体形态以及呼吸作用下气道软组织的弹性变形,不足以有效指导手术治疗.文章基于OSA患者在术前、术后的CT扫描图像,构建了精确的三维上气道模型,通过双向流固耦合(FSI)计算,模拟研究了呼吸作用下上气道软组织的弹性变形和气道内气流流动情况.比较手术成功案例和失败案例中OSA患者上气道的流速、压力分布及气道弹性变形情况,从气道流体流动状态和气道软组织变形的角度解释了OSA的发生原因与手术作用机制.结果表明,最小横截面积尺寸并不是UPPP手术成功与否的决定性因素,成功的手术应当是减轻气道壁负压力程度、降低气道进出口之间的压降.此外,使用双向FSI方法,文章进一步构建了简化的人体二维软腭模型,探究了软腭弹性模量对吸气过程的影响,发现当软腭的弹性模量在0.5～1.5 MPa的范围内时,刚度更小的软腭会改善流场的流动情况,但也更易发生变形塌陷.文章所发展的流固模型为个性化预测手术效果提供了研究工具.     

鼻腔加温功能特征及其与气流场关系的研究

为研究鼻腔加温功能特征及其与气流场之间的关系, 选用1例健康国人的鼻腔进行CT扫描. 据CT数据对鼻腔气道进行表面三维重建, 运用计算流体动力学方法分析通气量为12L/min时吸气相0.15s, 0.45s, 0.75s的鼻腔气流场与温度场. 结果显示吸气相0.15s, 0.45s, 0.75s鼻腔气流场主要表现为双侧气流量分布不对称, 其中气流主要流经左侧; 双侧均为总鼻道中、下部气流量较多, 嗅裂、中鼻道和下鼻道气流量少. 吸气相0.15s, 0.45s, 0.75s温度场均表现为温度自鼻腔前端至鼻咽部逐渐增高, 其中温度主要上升区域为鼻内孔-下鼻甲前端-中鼻甲前端对应气道, 且在吸气速度和流量增大后, 这一主要加温区域无明显向后延长征象; 双侧鼻腔及单侧鼻腔不同部位气道气流分布差别较大, 但双侧温度场基本对称, 单侧鼻腔不同气道部位温度差值亦较小, 幅度均小于1℃.     

鼻腔结构异常及其矫正术后气流场改变的数值分析

鼻腔结构的改变将伴随鼻腔空气动力学特性改变,进而促使下鼻甲等发生自适应性变化。选取鼻中隔偏曲患者并行鼻中隔偏曲矫正术,部分行下鼻甲骨折外移术,将术前和术后患者行鼻腔CT扫描,根据CT数据对鼻腔气道进行表面三维重建,运用计算流体动力学方法分析术前和术后鼻腔气道的空气动力学特征。通过研究发现,鼻腔结构矫正手术不是以双侧鼻腔气道容积对称为目的,而是应将整个鼻腔结构看作一个整体,尽可能地保护鼻腔的"绿化带",最终达到重塑鼻腔结构之目的,使鼻腔的生理功能恢复正常。     

THE NUMERICAL STUDY OF AIRFLOW ALTERATION CAUSED BY NASAL TEXTURAL ANOMALY AND DIORTHOSIS 1)

鼻腔结构的改变将伴随鼻腔空气动力学特性改变,进而促使下鼻甲等发生自适应性变化。选取鼻中隔偏曲患者并行鼻中隔偏曲矫正术,部分行下鼻甲骨折外移术,将术前和术后患者行鼻腔CT 扫描,根据CT数据对鼻腔气道进行表面三维重建,运用计算流体动力学方法分析术前和术后鼻腔气道的空气动力学特征。通过研究发现,鼻腔结构矫正手术不是以双侧鼻腔气道容积对称为目的,而是应将整个鼻腔结构看作一个整体,尽可能地保护鼻腔的\绿化带",最终达到重塑鼻腔结构之目的,使鼻腔的生理功能恢复正常。     

支气管堵塞对COPD肺部流场和颗粒场特征的影响

本文首先建立了三维正常肺部和3种不同阻塞部位以及3种不同堵塞程度的慢性阻塞性肺疾病(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD)肺部模型,利用LES-DPM(Large Eddy Simulation-Discrete Phase Model)方法对正常肺部和COPD肺部的流场和颗粒场特征进行了仿真研究,进一步探讨了阻塞气道对肺部的影响．仿真结果表明：支气管堵塞明显影响COPD肺部气流的流场特征,易造成COPD患者呼吸困难．堵塞气道导致了吸入颗粒在肺部分布的不均,且颗粒沉积多发生在右侧无阻塞支气管以及各级支气管的分叉区域．随着阻塞程度和颗粒粒径的增加,颗粒在肺部的总沉积率明显增大,表明COPD患者更易受有害颗粒物对肺部的伤害．研究结果有助于为诊断和治疗COPD提供更多的理论依据和参考价值．     

电磁极宽度对圆柱绕流场影响的数值分析

在雷诺数Re=200的情况,利用Maxwell方程直接数值计算表面包覆电极与磁极圆柱体产生的电磁力分布,将其加入到动量方程中,在各种电磁力作用参数和电磁极宽度的组合下,对表面覆盖电磁极圆柱体在弱电解质中的绕流场结构及其升阻力特性进行了数值模拟与分析.结果表明,当电磁极宽度较小时,圆柱体绕流场的分离点越容易接近后驻点,而电磁力对总阻力的影响并不明显,但对压差和摩擦阻力均有明显影响.当电磁极宽度较大时,圆柱体尾部区域越容易产生射流现象,而且总阻力随电磁力作用参数和电磁极宽度增大而减小.在电磁力尚不足以完全抑制周期性涡脱落的情况下,升力幅值随电磁力作用参数增大而减小,但随电磁极宽度则先减小后略有增加,升力脉动频率则均随电磁力作用参数和电磁极宽度增大而增加.研究表明,电磁力可以有效地改善圆柱体绕流场结构,达到减小圆柱体阻力并抑制其脉动升力之目的,因此是圆柱型结构的一种有效流动控制手段.     

飞行器船尾设计对亚声速底阻影响及风洞试验验证

减小阻力尤其是底部阻力,是飞行器增加航程的重要手段,而船尾布局则是减小底部阻力的有效措施.为研究船尾修型设计在亚声速段对飞行器阻力的影响规律,对某飞行器外形开展船尾修型设计并进行数值模拟,分析了不同船尾形状和船尾角度对飞行器阻力的影响情况,并开展了风洞试验验证.结果表明,船尾修型设计可以有效减小底部阻力;船尾采用曲线过...     

高亚声速运输机后体减阻措施研究

为了降低高亚声速运输机的阻力,改善飞机的气动性能,本文在某一典型运输机机身外形的基础上,研究了后体参数和涡流发生器对机身后体流场及阻力的影响。通过数值模拟计算,得出了不同外形的后体流态分布及阻力特性数据。结果表明,小的上翘角和收缩比、大的扁平度和长细比能够显著地减小压差阻力,而涡流发生器能够有效地减小摩擦阻力。该结果可为后续的型号研制提供参考。     

注浆加固和可压缩层联合作用下隧道力学行为研究

根据高地应力深埋隧道的变形特征,以围岩加固和变形能量释放为原则,提出了注浆加固与可压缩层联合支护的方法,建立了基于注浆加固与可压缩层联合作用下的隧道力学模型;推导了在联合作用下隧道应力场和位移场的解析解,并与数值计算结果进行了对比验证。结果表明:围岩的注浆加固和可压缩层的设置均能有效改善衬砌的受力情况。在其他条件保持不变时,衬砌的压力和位移,以及围岩的位移都随着注浆加固层厚度的增大而减小,但压力和位移的减小趋势随着其厚度的增加而趋于平缓。同样地,可压缩层厚度增大可导致围岩变形能量更充分地耗散,衬砌的压力及位移均随着可压缩层厚度的增大而不断减小,该减小趋势随可压缩层厚度的变化趋于平缓。但是,随着可压缩层厚度的增加,围岩的位移却不断增加。另外,隧道变形的改善效果与可压缩层填充材料的力学参数密切相关,当其弹性模量由26MPa增至160MPa时,衬砌位移迅速增加。因此,该填充材料应具备足够的变形能力才能达到吸收围岩变形、改善衬砌受力的目的。     

Numerical analysis for the efficacy of nasal surgery in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

In the present study, we reconstructed upper airway and soft palate models of 3 obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome（OSAHS） patients with nasal obstruction. The airflow distribution and movement of the soft palate before and after surgery were described by a numerical simulation method. The curative effect of nasal surgery was evaluated for the three patients with OSAHS. The degree of nasal obstruction in the 3 patients was improved after surgery. For 2 patients with mild OSAHS, the upper airway resistance and soft palate displacement were reduced after surgery. These changes contributed to the mitigation of respiratory airflow limitation. For the patient with severe OSAHS, the upper airway resistance and soft palate displacement increased after surgery, which aggravated the airway obstruction. The effcacy of nasal surgery for patients with OSAHS is determined by the degree of improvement in nasal obstruction and whether the effects on the pharynx are beneficial. Numerical simulation results are consistent with the polysomnogram（PSG） test results, chief complaints, and clinical findings, and can indirectly reflect the degree of nasal patency and improvement of snoring symptoms, and further,provide a theoretical basis to solve relevant clinical problems.     

Numerical simulation of soft palate movement and airflow in human upper airway by fluid-structure interaction method

In this paper, the authors present airflow field characteristics of human upper airway and soft palate movement attitude during breathing. On the basis of the data taken from the spiral computerized tomography images of a healthy person and a patient with Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS), three-dimensional models of upper airway cavity and soft palate are reconstructed by the method of surface rendering. Numerical simulation is performed for airflow in the upper airway and displacement of soft palate by fluid-structure interaction analysis. The reconstructed three-dimensional models precisely preserve the original configuration of upper airways and soft palate. The results of the pressure and velocity distributions in the airflow field are quantitatively determined, and the displacement of soft palate is presented. Pressure gradients of airway are lower for the healthy person and the airflow distribution is quite uniform in the case of free breathing. However, the OSAHS patient remarkably escalates both the pressure and velocity in the upper airway, and causes higher displacement of the soft palate. The present study is useful in revealing pathogenesis and quantitative mutual relationship between configuration and function of the upper airway as well as in diagnosing diseases related to anatomical structure and function of the upper airway. The project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10672036, 10472025 and 10421002), the Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province (20032109). English text was polished by Yunming Chen.     

Toward numerical simulations of fluid–structure interactions for investigation of obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a medical condition characterized by repetitive partial or complete occlusion of the airway during sleep. The soft tissues in the airway of OSA patients are prone to collapse under the low-pressure loads incurred during breathing. This paper describes efforts toward the development of a numerical tool for simulation of air–tissue interactions in the upper airway of patients with sleep apnea. A procedure by which patient-specific airway geometries are segmented and processed from dental cone-beam CT scans into signed distance fields is presented. A sharp-interface embedded boundary method based on the signed distance field is used on Cartesian grids for resolving the airflow in the airway geometries. For simulation of structure mechanics with large expected displacements, a cut-cell finite element method with nonlinear Green strains is used. The fluid and structure solvers are strongly coupled with a partitioned iterative algorithm. Preliminary results are shown for flow simulation inside the three-dimensional rigid upper airway of patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Two validation cases for the fluid–structure coupling problem are also presented.     

Numerical analysis of respiratory flow patterns within human upper airway

A computational fluid dynamics （CFD） approach is used to study the respiratory airflow dynamics within a human upper airway. The airway model which consists of the airway from nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx and trachea to triple bifurcation is built based on the CT images of a healthy volunteer and the Weibel model. The flow character- istics of the whole upper airway are quantitatively described at any time level of respiratory cycle. Simulation results of respiratory flow show good agreement with the clinical mea- sures, experimental and computational results in the litera- ture. The air mainly passes through the floor of the nasal cavity in the common, middle and inferior nasal meatus. The higher airway resistance and wall shear stresses are distrib- uted on the posterior nasal valve. Although the airways of pharynx, larynx and bronchi experience low shear stresses, it is notable that relatively high shear stresses are distrib- uted on the wall of epiglottis and bronchial bifurcations. Besides, two-dimensional fluid-structure interaction models of normal and abnormal airways are built to discuss the flow-induced deformation in various anatomy models. The result shows that the wall deformation in normal airway is relatively small.     

Interaction between a simplified soft palate and compressible viscous flow

Fluid–structure interaction in a simplified 2D model of the upper airways is simulated to study flow-induced oscillation of the soft palate in the pharynx. The goal of our research has been a better understanding of the mechanisms of the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome and snoring by taking into account compressible viscous flow. The inspiratory airflow is described by the 2D compressible Navier–Stokes equations, and the soft palate is modeled as a flexible plate by the linearized Euler–Bernoulli thin beam theory. Fluid–structure interaction is handled by the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation. The fluid flow is computed by utilizing 4th order accurate summation by parts difference operators and the 4th order accurate classical Runge–Kutta method which lead to very accurate simulation results. The motion of the cantilevered plate is solved numerically by employing the Newmark time integration method. The numerical schemes for the structure are verified by comparing the computed frequencies of plate oscillation with the associated second mode eigenfrequency in vacuum. Vortex dynamics is assessed for the coupled fluid–structure system when both airways are open and when one airway is closed. The effect of mass ratio, rigidity and damping coefficient of the plate on the oscillatory behavior is investigated. An acoustic analysis is carried out to characterize the acoustic wave propagation induced by the plate oscillation. It is observed that the acoustic wave corresponding to the quarter wave mode along the length of the duct is the dominant frequency. However, the frequency of the plate oscillation is recognizable in the acoustic pressure when reducing the amplitude of the quarter wave mode.     

Computational fluid dynamics simulations of respiratory airflow in human nasal cavity and its characteristic dimension study

To study the airflow distribution in human nasal cavity during respiration and the characteristic parameters of nasal structure, three-dimensional, anatomically accurate representations of 30 adult nasal cavity models were recons- tructed based on processed tomography images collected from normal people. The airflow fields in nasal cavities were simulated by fluid dynamics with finite element software ANSYS. The results showed that the difference of human nasal cavity structure led to different airflow distribution in the nasal cavities and variation of the main airstream passing through the common nasal meatus. The nasal resistance in the regions of nasal valve and nasal vestibule accounted for more than half of the overall resistance. The characteristic model of nasal cavity was extracted on the basis of characteristic points and dimensions deduced from the original models. It showed that either the geometric structure or the airflow field of the two kinds of models was similar. The characteristic dimensions were the characteristic parameters of nasal cavity that could properly represent the original model in model studies on nasal cavity.