Model study of flow dynamics in human central airways. Part III: Oscillatory velocity profiles

Abstract

Measurements of oscillatory velocity profiles were made in a 3:1 model of the human central airways. The model was built of acrylic plastic and mounted vertically. A reciprocating pump connected to the upper end of the model provided oscillatory flow frequencies of 0.25, 1, 2 and 4 Hz (equivalent to 2.25, 9, 18 and 36 Hz in the actual airways) and tidal volumes of 300, 500 and 1500 ml. A hot-wire anemometer probe was used to measure velocities along two perpendicular diameters and at six stations distributed through the model. The flow distribution through the five lobar bronchi was controlled by distally positioned linear resistors. The measurements indicate that the entry flow profile into the model during oscillatory flow was essentially flat. At low frequencies, the velocity profiles attained at peak flow rate resemble the profiles seen under steady flow conditions at the corresponding Reynolds number. In the frontal plane these profiles are asymmetric with a maximum in velocity directed towards the outer wall of the bend. In the sagital plane the velocity profiles are symmetric and have the characteristic bi-peak (M-shaped) structure seen in the steady flows. However, as the frequency increases the velocity profiles throughout most branches tend to flatten except in the right upper lobar bronchus where the skewed velocity profiles persist even at the highest frequencies studied. As in steady flows the nature of the velocity profile is strongly influenced by the airway geometry. Furthermore, the peak velocity profiles resemble steady flow profiles at comparable Reynolds numbers up to a Womersley number of 16.