Liu Ying-xi, Yu Shen, Sun Xiu-zhen, Su Ying-feng, Zhang Jun
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China.
Zhonghua Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2005 Nov;40(11):846-9.
To study the airflow in nasal cavity by reconstructing 20 volunteers' nasal cavity models and numerical simulation of the flow field in these nasal cavity models.
Based on the data from the CT images, 20 volunteers' nasal cavity models were reconstructed by the method of surface rendering. The flow field in these three-dimensional models were simulated with finite element method. Some of these volunteers were tested by means of acoustic rhinometry and the test results recorded. Comparisons were performed for the curves from acoustic rhinometry and the results of numerical simulations. The simulation results were explained with the fluid network theory.
The airflow distribution in the nasal cavity model could be acquired from the simulation results of the velocity plot. Main airflow would pass through the common nasal meatus in which flux accounted for 50% - 77% of overall flux. The pressure value at any point in the nasal cavity model could be obtained from the results of the pressure plot. The nasal airway resistance in the region of limen nasi accounted for 50% - 65% of overall nasal airway resistance. Comparing the test results with the simulation results the relation could be understood between the change of the cross-section area of nasal cavities and the plot of numerical simulation results of velocity and pressure in airflow field in the nasal cavity models.
Comparing the simulated results of the 20 volunteers' nasal cavity model it can be concluded that the distribution of airflow in nasal cavities is not stationary. The differences among everybody's nasal cavity structure lead to the different airflow distribution in the nasal cavities.
通过重建20名志愿者的鼻腔模型并对这些鼻腔模型内的流场进行数值模拟，研究鼻腔内的气流情况。
基于CT图像数据，采用表面渲染法重建20名志愿者的鼻腔模型。用有限元法模拟这些三维模型内的流场。其中部分志愿者通过鼻声反射法进行检测并记录检测结果。对鼻声反射法得到的曲线与数值模拟结果进行比较。用流体网络理论对模拟结果进行解释。
从速度图的模拟结果中可获取鼻腔模型内的气流分布情况。主要气流会通过总鼻道，其通量占总通量的50% - 77%。从压力图的结果中可得到鼻腔模型内任意一点的压力值。鼻阈区域的鼻气道阻力占总鼻气道阻力的50% - 65%。将检测结果与模拟结果进行比较，可了解鼻腔横截面积的变化与鼻腔模型气流场中速度和压力的数值模拟结果图之间的关系。
比较20名志愿者鼻腔模型的模拟结果可知，鼻腔内气流分布并非固定不变。每个人鼻腔结构的差异导致鼻腔内气流分布不同。
