A novel macroscopic gas transport model, derived from fundamental engineering principles, is used to simulate the three-dimensional, unsteady respiration process within the alveolar region of the lungs. The simulations, mimicking the single-breath technique for measuring the lung diffusing capacity for carbon-monoxide (CO), allow the prediction of the red blood cell (RBC) distribution effects on the lung diffusing capacity. Results, obtained through numerical simulations, unveil a strong relationship between the type of distribution and the lung diffusing capacity. Several RBC distributions are considered, namely: normal (random), uniform, center-cluster, and corner-cluster red cell distributions. A nondimensional correlation is obtained in terms of a geometric parameter characterizing the RBC distribution, and presented as a useful tool for predicting the RBC distribution effect on the lung diffusing capacity. The effect of red cell movement is not considered in the present study because CO does not equilibrate with capillary blood within the time spent by blood in the capillary. Hence, blood flow effect on CO diffusion is expected to be only marginal.
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October 2002
Technical Papers
Three-dimensional, Unsteady Simulation of Alveolar Respiration
Vladimir V. Kulish, ASME Assoc. Mem.,,
Vladimir V. Kulish, ASME Assoc. Mem.,
School of Mechanical & Production Engng, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
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Jose´ L. Lage, ASME Mem.,,
Jose´ L. Lage, ASME Mem.,
Mechanical Engineering Department, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275-0337
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Connie C. W. Hsia,
Connie C. W. Hsia
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235-9034
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Robert L. Johnson,, Jr.
Robert L. Johnson,, Jr.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235-9034
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Vladimir V. Kulish, ASME Assoc. Mem.,
School of Mechanical & Production Engng, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798
Jose´ L. Lage, ASME Mem.,
Mechanical Engineering Department, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX 75275-0337
Connie C. W. Hsia
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235-9034
Robert L. Johnson,, Jr.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas-Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235-9034
Contributed by the Bioengineering Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING. Manuscript received December 2000; revised manuscript received May 2002. Associate Editor: J. B. Grotberg.
J Biomech Eng. Oct 2002, 124(5): 609-616 (8 pages)
Published Online: September 30, 2002
Article history
Received:
December 1, 2000
Revised:
May 1, 2002
Online:
September 30, 2002
Citation
Kulish, V. V., Lage, J. L., Hsia , C. C. W., and Johnson, , R. L., Jr. (September 30, 2002). "Three-dimensional, Unsteady Simulation of Alveolar Respiration ." ASME. J Biomech Eng. October 2002; 124(5): 609–616. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1504445
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