Modelling the human pharyngeal airway: validation of numerical simulations using in vitro experiments

Franz Chouly (1) , Annemie van Hirtum (2) , Pierre-Yves Lagrée (3) , Xavier Pelorson (2) , Yohan Payan (4)

1 TIMC-IMAG - Techniques de l'Ingénierie Médicale et de la Complexité - Informatique, Mathématiques et Applications, Grenoble - UMR 5525
2 GIPSA-AABC - GIPSA - Acoustique, Aéroacoustique, Biomécanique et Contrôle
3 LMM - Laboratoire de modélisation en mécanique
4 TIMC-IMAG-GMCAO - Gestes Medico-chirurgicaux Assistés par Ordinateur

In the presented study, a numerical model which predicts the flow-induced collapse within the pharyngeal airway is validated using in vitro measurements. Theoretical simplifications were considered to limit the computation time. Systematic comparisons between simulations and measurements were performed on an in vitro replica, which reflects asymmetries of the geometry and of the tissue properties at the base of the tongue and in pathological conditions (strong initial obstruction). First, partial obstruction is observed and predicted. Moreover, the prediction accuracy of the numerical model is of 4.2% concerning the deformation (mean quadratic error on the constriction area). It shows the ability of the assumptions and method to predict accurately and quickly a fluid-structure interaction.

Mots clés: numerical simulation and modelling; in-vitro measurements; fluid-structure interaction; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Domaines: Biomécanique [physics.med-ph]; Biomécanique [physics.med-ph]; Ingénierie biomédicale

Franz Chouly, Annemie van Hirtum, Pierre-Yves Lagrée, Xavier Pelorson, Yohan Payan. Modelling the human pharyngeal airway: validation of numerical simulations using in vitro experiments. Medical and Biological Engineering and Computing, 2009, 47 (1), pp.49-58. ⟨10.1007/s11517-008-0412-1⟩. ⟨hal-00340538⟩