title: A poroelastic model coupled to a fluid network with applications in lung modelling.
abstract: We develop a lung ventilation model based on a continuum poroelastic representation of lung parenchyma that is strongly coupled to a pipe network representation of the airway tree. The continuous system of equations is discretized using a low-order stabilised finite element method. The framework is applied to a realistic lung anatomical model derived from computed tomography data and an artificially generated airway tree to model the conducting airway region. Numerical simulations produce physiologically realistic solutions and demonstrate the effect of airway constriction and reduced tissue elasticity on ventilation, tissue stress and alveolar pressure distribution. The key advantage of the model is the ability to provide insight into the mutual dependence between ventilation and deformation. This is essential when studying lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary fibrosis. Thus the model can be used to form a better understanding of integrated lung mechanics in both the healthy and diseased states. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Wolfson Building Parks, Road, OX1 3QD, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Lorenz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Wolfson Building Parks, Road, OX1 3QD, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Rafel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bordas
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Wolfson Building Parks, Road, OX1 3QD, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Burrowes
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Engineering Science, Old Road Campus Research Building, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK.
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grau
authors.affiliation: Department of Mathematics, Colorado State University, Weber Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tavener
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Wolfson Building Parks, Road, OX1 3QD, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kay
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D016062:Porosity; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012212:Rheology / Q000379:methods*
keywords: disease modelling; fluid-network coupling; poroelasticity; respiratory mechanics