Numerical study of a nasal cavity model having a constricted pharyngeal section representing obstructive sleep apnea

Issue title: Selected Papers from ICCMEH2014

Guest editors: Raghuvir Pai

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Zuber, Mohammad^{a; c; *} | Riazuddin, Vizy N.^a | Ahmad, Kamarul A.^a | Khader, Shah M. A.^b | Basri, Adi A.^a

Affiliations: [a] Department of Aerospace Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia | [b] Department of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University, Manipal 576104, India | [c] Department of Aeronautical & Automobile Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University, Manipal 576104, India

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Mohammad Zuber, Department of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University, Manipal 576104, India. E-mail:mohammad.zuber@manipal.edu

Abstract: This study presents, use of a technique based on functional imaging and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling in generating useful data that can be used to determine and diagnose Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) condition. A three-dimensional nasal cavity model was reconstructed based on computed tomographic images of a healthy Malaysian adult nose. Navier-Stokes and continuity equations for steady airflow were solved numerically to examine inspiratory and expiratory nasal flow.The study showed that, the pressure drop from the choanae to the OSA region was found to be larger than the pressure drop through the nasal passages. Stresses as high as 42.4 Pa were observed in this constricted OSA passageway, which is otherwise not a common occurrence in the normal subjects.

Keywords: CFD, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), nasal cavity, pressure, velocity

DOI: 10.3233/JCM-170719

Journal: Journal of Computational Methods in Sciences and Engineering, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 219-226, 2017