A comparative study of aerosol deposition in different lung models.

Theoretical calculations are made on total and regional deposition of inhaled particles in the human respiratory system based upon various current lung models. It is found that although total deposition does not vary appreciably from model to model, considerably large differences are present in regional deposition. Deposition profiles along the airways from different models also show very different patterns. These differences can be explained in terms of airway dimensions and the number of structures in different models. Extension to explain intersubject variability is also made.