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

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by repetitive collapse of the upper airway (UA) during sleep. Treatment options for OSA include mandibular advancement splints (MAS), worn intra-orally to protrude the lower jaw to stabilize the airway. However not all patients will respond to MAS therapy and individual effects on the upper airway are not well understood. Simulations of airway behavior represent a non-invasive means to understand this disorder and treatment responses in individual patients. The aims of this study was to perform analysis of upper airway (UA) occlusion and flow dynamics in OSA using the fluid structure interaction (FSI) method, and secondly to observe changes associated with MAS usage. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained with and without mandibular advance splint (MAS) treatment in a patient known to be a treatment responder. Computational models of the anatomically correct UA geometry were reconstructed for both pre-and post-treatment (MAS) conditions. By comparing the simulation results, the treatment success of MAS was demonstrated by smaller UA structure deformation (maximum 2mm) post-treatment relative to the pre-treatment fully collapsed (maximum 6mm) counterpart. The UA collapse was located at the oropharynx and the low oropharyngeal pressure (-51 Pa to-39 Pa) was induced by the velopharyngeal jet flow (maximum 10 m/s). The results support previous OSA computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies by indicating similar UA pressure drop and maximum velocity values. These findings lay a firm platform for the application of computational models for the study of the biomechanical properties of the upper airway in the pathogenesis and treatment of OSA.

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Passive movement of human soft palate during respiration: A simulation of 3D fluid/structure interaction

Journal of Biomechanics ◽

10.1016/j.jbiomech.2012.04.027 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 45 (11) ◽

pp. 1992-2000 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Jian Hua Zhu ◽

Heow Pueh Lee ◽

Kian Meng Lim ◽

Shu Jin Lee ◽

Li San Lynette Teo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soft Palate ◽

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Passive Movement ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction

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Efficient Fluid-Structure Interaction Method for Optimization of Micro Air Vehicle Wings

12th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference and 14th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference ◽

10.2514/6.2012-5582 ◽

2012 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas Combes ◽

Goetz Bramesfeld ◽

Arif Malik

Keyword(s):

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Micro Air Vehicle ◽

Interaction Method ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction ◽

Air Vehicle

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Study on Similar Skills of Dynamic Model Test Concerning Fluid-Structure Interaction for Water-Conveyance Tunnel in Soft Soil

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.29-32.1458 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 29-32 ◽

pp. 1458-1463 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jin Yun Liu ◽

Jian Yun Chen

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Model Test ◽

Structural Model ◽

Soft Soil ◽

Fluid Structure Interaction ◽

Similar Relationship ◽

Fluid Structure ◽

Structure Interaction ◽

Water Conveyance ◽

Water Conveyance Tunnel

Three basic types of similar relationship between the prototype and the model for dynamic structural model test and dynamic destructive model test were proposed in corresponding literatures. At the time the situation where various similar relationships are applicable and the technique to ensure similarity for the different goal was discussed. Here the numerical simulation of model test of water-conveyance tunnel concerning fluid-structure interaction in soft soil is studied. Based on economy and practicability of selective material for model test, the similar relationship and the technique are proposed, which are validated through the example. The results of numerical simulation show: under the specific conditions, data of the model test can completely transfer to those of the prototype by use of this type of similar skill, and get more useful information. Some new ideas are introduced to keep the similarity of the hydro-structure structures.

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