Generation of an anatomically based three-dimensional model of the conducting airways

An anatomically accurate model of the conducting airways is essential for adequately simulating gas mixing, particle deposition, heat and water transfer, and fluid distribution. We have extended a two-dimensional tree-growing algorithm to three dimensions for generation of a host-shape dependent thr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of biomedical engineering 2000-07, Vol.28 (7), p.793-802
Main Authors: Howatson Tawhai, M, Pullan, A J, Hunter, P J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Airways
Algorithms
Biomedical engineering
Bronchi - anatomy & histology
Bronchi - physiology
Computer Simulation
Conduction
Humans
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Mathematical models
Models, Biological
Monte Carlo Method
Pulmonary Gas Exchange
Reproduction
Sensitivity and Specificity
Statistics
Studies
Three dimensional
Water transfer
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Summary:An anatomically accurate model of the conducting airways is essential for adequately simulating gas mixing, particle deposition, heat and water transfer, and fluid distribution. We have extended a two-dimensional tree-growing algorithm to three dimensions for generation of a host-shape dependent three-dimensional conducting airway model. Terminal branches in the model are both length limited and volume-supplied limited. A limit is imposed on the maximum possible branch angle between a daughter and parent branch. Comparison of the resulting model with morphometric data shows that the algorithm produces branching and length ratios, path lengths, numbers of branches, and branching angles very close to those from the experimental data. The correlation between statistics from the generated model and those from morphometric studies suggests that the conducting airway structure can be described adequately using a "supply and demand" algorithm. The resulting model is a computational mesh that can be used for simulating transport phenomena.
ISSN:0090-6964
1573-9686
DOI:10.1114/1.1289457