Effects of localized compliance on gas dispersion in small airways

在呼吸过程中，由于肺变形而引起气流，从而进行气体交换和质量输送。在本研究中，我们利用同步辐射CT和数值模拟肺泡流来观察和分析肺深部小气道的变形，以了解肺深部的呼吸生理。结果，气道变形在较小的气道中较大，并且与功能残气量时的值相比，直径增加了约100%。单纯哮喘小气道形态学改变较轻。在气体扩散的数值模拟中，气道变形对气体扩散有促进作用。

During respiration, airflow is induced by lung deformation, and so gas exchange and mass transport is performed. In this study, to understand the respiratory physiology in deep lung, we observed and analyzed small airway deformation using synchrotron radiation-CT and simulated alveolar flow numerically. As the results, the airway deformation was larger in smaller airways, and the diameter increased by about 100% compared with the values at functional residual capacity. And, the morphometric change was lower of only asthmatic small airways. In numerical simulation of gas dispersion, it was promoted by airway deformation.