Numerical study of particle deposition in human upper airways during various age periods

Brno University of Technology, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Energy Institute, Technicka 2896/2, Brno 616 69, Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: elcner@fme.vutbr.cz

Published online: 4 July 2024

Abstract

The development of the human airways continues even after birth. During childhood, not only does the shape of the upper airway change, but also the way we inhale. The development of human upper airways and the mouth cavity stops at the age of five and after that, only changes in dimensions occur. This study aims to compare the difference in the deposition of spherical particles inhaled under the resting conditions in three various age periods: infant (10 months), children (5 years) and adult (25 years). For this purpose, new airway geometries in these developmental stages were created and constant inspiratory flow rates corresponding to resting conditions were studied. Simulations were performed using a CFD solver Star-CCM+, and turbulence was solved using a Large Eddy Simulation approach. The particle deposition was solved using the Lagrangian multiphase model. The results revealed significant differences in the size fractions of particles deposited in identical airway regions.