3D Finite Element Model of the Human Thorax to Study its Low Frequency Resonance Excited by an Acoustic Harmonic Excitation onto the Chest Wall
Abstract
According to the 2019 Canadian cystic fibrosis (CF) annual report, 4344 patients suffer from CF, which represents an increase of 33.3 % in the last two decades. It is devastating by a build-up of excessive, thick, and sticky mucus, which causes obstruction of breathing. Physiotherapy based on a harmonic acoustic pressure applied onto chest wall is used for mucus drainage. One hypothesis behind this approach is that vibrations act on the viscoelastic, shear-thinning, and thixotropic properties of bronchial mucus, liquefying it to ease expectoration. This study aims to develop a numerical tool to study the vibrations induced in the lungs as a function of acoustic excitation. The method is based on a 3D numerical finite element model of the human thorax developed in the frequency domain using COMSOL 5.5 Multiphysics®. The realistic model based on computed tomography scans consists of the tracheobronchial tree, the lungs, the rib cage, the scapula, and the soft tissues. The numerical results present the vibratory harmonic responses (20-60 Hz) of the thorax when excited by a 28 mm radius and 160 dB external acoustic pressure. The chest-resonance frequency is obtained close to 28 Hz, which is consistent with reported experimental data.Additional Files
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