Miloš Kojić
A FINITE ELEMENT MODEL FOR LUNG MECHANICS, AIRFLOW, AND MASS TRANSPORTAbstract
Lung diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Besides clinical and laboratory
investigations on which rely advancements in the cure of various lung diseases, computational models
can be significantly supportive in these investigations. The lung is an extremely complex organ
composed of connective tissue, and a network of airways, branching from larger to smaller diameters
(classified by 24 generations) ending with the alveolated microstructure and alveolar sacs. The lung
experiences large geometrical changes and deformation over breathing cycles, hence, regarding
mechanics, it is a challenge to formulate an adequate computational model. Also, modeling airflow
within the lung parenchyma is very demanding due to the complexity of the microstructure. Many
computer models, with various degrees of simplification and sophistication, have been introduced for
lung simulation, but a robust and generally applicable model is still lacking. We here present a
formulation of a 3D multiscale-multiphysics finite element which includes mechanics, airflow, and mass
transport. The mechanics relies on the Wilson-Bachofen model for the lung supporting structure, while
the gradient-driven physical fields are modeled according to the smeared concept (Kojic Transport
Model). Numerical examples illustrate the generality and applicability of our finite element model.
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