Mechanical Engineering

Flow Characteristics Analysis of Children Upper Airway Based on 3D Printing Technology

  • CAI Hui-Kun ,
  • XU Chang ,
  • XUE Hao-Yang ,
  • GUO Yu-Feng ,
  • GAO Xing-Qiang
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  • 1. School of Aerospace Engineering,Xiamen University,Xiamen 361102,Fujian,China;
    2. Children's Hospital of Xiamen,Xiamen 361006,Fujian,China
蔡惠坤 (1984-),男,博士,讲师,主要从事热物理、流体力学研究

Received date: 2021-08-03

  Revised date: 2021-10-29

  Online published: 2021-11-08

Supported by

Supported by the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52076183),the
Health Education Joint Project of Fujian Province (2019-WJ-33) and the General Program of the Natural Science Foundation of Fu-
jian Province (2018D0018)

Abstract

Aiming at the problems of limited analysis and difficult validation on flow characteristics of children upper airway, this paper presents an experimental bench using upper airway models manufactured by 3D printing technology to study these problems. The maximum difference between experimental results and clinical nasal resistance test is 11.1%, which proves the experimental method based on 3D printing technology is reliable and accurate, and it can be a direct and easy method for the research of flow characteristics of children upper airway. After that, the effect of different levels of hypertrophy of tonsil on flow characteristics is studied. It is found that, when the narrow level of oropharynx reaches 56%, where the level of hypertrophy of tonsil reaches III degree, flow characteristics of upper airway will obviously change, in terms of increasing flow velocity and resistance, decreasing flow volume, and a large inverse pressure and pressure difference in oropharynx, which can an explanation of the symptoms for OSAHS child, and also will be a significant reference to clinicians on tonsillectomy operation and its postoperative recovery plan.

Cite this article

CAI Hui-Kun , XU Chang , XUE Hao-Yang , GUO Yu-Feng , GAO Xing-Qiang . Flow Characteristics Analysis of Children Upper Airway Based on 3D Printing Technology[J]. Journal of South China University of Technology(Natural Science), 2022 , 50(6) : 137 -144 . DOI: 10.12141/j.issn.1000-565X.210496

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