CFD modeling of airflow in a realistic model of a mouse left-lobe respiratory airways

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of airflow through respiratory airways is the basis of particle delivery studies. Lots of researches have been done in this area. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images are the most conventional techniques for 3-dimensional (3D) modeling of airways. Because of the resolution limits, these techniques are not efficient for modeling high order airways. In present study high resolution Light sheet fluorescent microscopy (LSFM) images of a mouse respiratory system were used to construct a 3D model of the left-lobe airways. This model includes the whole conducting zone of mice left-lobe. Then the air flow through the airways was modeled considering rigid walls and a steady state condition for airflow. Pressure and wall shear stress distribution in the airways were obtained beside the velocity and vorticity profiles near the entrance of each airway order.