3D Lung Airway Tree Model for Surfactant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computational models for lung airway trees lack the capability to produce a 3D object, which is essential for simulating the uniform distribution of therapeutic fluids like surfactants, limiting the effectiveness of respiratory disorder treatments.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to create a 3D printed model of the lung airway tree using a computer-aided design system, where the lung airway tree is modeled by forming a trachea portion and subsequent bronchi tubes with specific dimensions and bifurcation angles, and then sliced for additive manufacturing, allowing for the fabrication of a 3D object that can be used to analyze surfactant flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If computational fluid dynamics mesh is created from images, then the model can be used for CFD analysis, but the model cannot be used for physical experimentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical 3D copy of the lung airway tree structure by extracting geometric information from medical images and using additive manufacturing to produce a tangible replica. This allows the model to serve both as a digital CFD mesh and as a physical object for experimentation, resolving the contradiction between computational analysis capability and physical experimentation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the model from a purely digital representation to a physical object by changing the state parameter from digital data to physical material through additive manufacturing. This parameter change enables the model to function in both digital CFD analysis and physical fluid delivery experiments simultaneously
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed 3D modeling is performed to accurately represent airway bifurcations, then the model complexity increases, but the manufacturing capability is required to produce the 3D object
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex airway tree into manageable generations (first generation, second generation, etc.) with each bifurcation zone modeled separately. This segmentation allows for precise modeling of each bifurcation while managing the overall complexity through modular construction in the CAD system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses additive manufacturing to build the complex 3D airway structure layer by layer, transforming the complex spatial geometry into a manufacturable form through dimensional layering. This enables high manufacturing precision for bifurcations while the manufacturing process itself handles the complexity
3Loss of information
If the lung airway model is created for surfactant distribution study, then the model can improve treatment understanding, but the ability to produce a physical 3D object is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a physical copy of the lung airway tree that can be used for hands-on experimentation with surfactant delivery. This physical replica allows researchers to study therapeutic fluid distribution in a tangible model, preventing loss of information while being manufacturable through additive manufacturing processes
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing a model of a human lung includes preparing a computer file within a computer aided design system, mathematically slicing the computer file into a plurality of layers to produce a sliced computer file, providing the sliced computer file to an additive manufacturing apparatus, and fabricating, with the additive manufacturing apparatus, a 3D object based on the sliced computer file. The model of the human lung may be utilized to evaluate surfactant treatment, to improve subsequent surfactant administration to a human patient.