Author(s)

G. Cevenini, F. Bernardi, M. R. Massai & P. Barbini

Abstract

A geometric model analysis of conductive airways in expiratory flow limitation during artificial ventilation G. Cevenini, F. Bernardi, M.R. Massai, P. Barbini Department of Surgevy and Bioengineering, Siena University, Siena, Italy Abstract Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) was simulated in mechanical ventilation through a recently proposed tracheobronchial tree model which reproduces breathing mechanics in the time-domain using Weibel's symmetrical description of lung anatomy considered as 17 upper generations conducting air and seven deeper generations where gas exchange takes place. The model allows for flow turbulence, inertance and tissue viscoelasticity to be represented nonlinearly and distributed along the tracheobronchial tree in a lumped parameter description. An electric analogue of the simulator, consisting of a RLC ladder network, was numerically implemented by Matlab-Simulink software. Normal conditions and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were simulated by setting mode

Keywords