Modeling RBC and neutrophil distribution through an anatomically based pulmonary capillary network

An anatomically based finite element model of the human pulmonary microcirculation has been created and applied to simulating regional variations in blood flow. A geometric mesh of the capillary network over the surface of a single alveolar sac is created using a Voronoi meshing technique. A pressur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of biomedical engineering 2004-04, Vol.32 (4), p.585-595
Main Authors: Burrowes, Kelly S, Tawhai, Merryn H, Hunter, Peter J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blood
Blood Flow Velocity
Blood Pressure
Boundary conditions
Cell Movement
Erythrocytes - physiology
Finite Element Analysis
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Microcirculation
Models, Anatomic
Neutrophils - physiology
Pulmonary Alveoli - blood supply
Pulmonary Alveoli - physiology
Pulmonary Circulation
Reproducibility of Results
Time Factors
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Summary:An anatomically based finite element model of the human pulmonary microcirculation has been created and applied to simulating regional variations in blood flow. A geometric mesh of the capillary network over the surface of a single alveolar sac is created using a Voronoi meshing technique. A pressure-flow relationship that describes blood cell transit is implemented in the network. Regional flow is investigated by imposing gravity-dependent transpulmonary and transmural boundary conditions. Comparisons of red and white blood cell transit times in the upper, mid, and lower lung showed physiologically consistent trends of a decreasing average transit time and an increased homogeneity of transit time distributions as a result of increasing average capillary diameter and flow down the height of a vertical lung. The model was found to reproduce experimentally consistent trends in red blood cell transit times and relative blood flows with respect to lung height. This model enables flow properties and cell transit time behavior in the pulmonary microcirculation under varying conditions, for example in different "zones" of the lung, to be explored.
ISSN:0090-6964
1573-9686
DOI:10.1023/b:abme.0000019178.95185.ad