Nonlinear model for mechanical ventilation of human lungs

• Published in: Computers in biology and medicine 2006, Vol.36 (1), p.41-58
• Main Authors: Polak, Adam G., Mroczka, Janusz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Airway Resistance - physiology; Asthma - physiopathology; Bronchi - physiopathology; Bronchoconstriction - physiology; Computer applications; Computer Simulation; Health care; Humans; Lung Volume Measurements; Lungs; Mathematical models; Mechanical ventilation; Medicine; Models, Biological; Nonlinear Dynamics; Nonlinear model; Respiration, Artificial; Respiratory mechanics
• ISSN: 0010-4825; 1879-0534
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2004.08.001

A complex nonlinear model for mechanical ventilation, its computer implementation and validation are presented. The model includes the morphometry-based symmetrical structure of the 23 airway generations, dynamic properties of the respiratory system, as well as the description of a ventilator. Distributed character of airway mechanical properties is taken into account when determining airway inertance, resistance and compliance, including turbulence of flow, airway collapsing and the wave speed theory. In effect, the airway parameters vary within the ventilatory cycle and their values are nonlinear functions of control signals. Results of simulations corresponding to normal conditions and airway narrowing are consistent with the published experimental data. The model enables investigations on how specific pathological changes influence the signals and physiological variables during mechanical ventilation, as well as testing known and developing new algorithms tracking time-variability of the respiratory parameters.