A	United States	EPA 600/S-17/424 | October 2017
Environmental Protection
wm Agency	Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711
Research Summary
3-D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Model
Of The Human Respiratory System
Introduction
The U.S. EPA's Office of Research and
Development (ORD) has developed a
3-D computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) model of the human
respiratory system that allows for the
simulation of particulate based
contaminant deposition and
clearance, while being adaptable for
age, ethnicity, and sex. This model,
based on human scan data,
incorporates the extrathoracic
region, as well as the
tracheobronchial and peripheral
airways of the lung. It provides the
ability to modify internal face
morphology to match external facial
features, thus allowing for model
customization. It also allows for both
oral and nasal breathing, as well as
variable breathing patterns.
This adaptable model may be used in
the investigation of dosimetry and
inhalation toxicology for general and
sensitive populations such as the
diseased and the elderly. It can be
used for therapeutic purposes such
as drug delivery, and for
oral/nasal/lung surgery planning.
The model may also be used by the
homeland security community for determining exposure to hazardous contaminants (e.g., anthrax, ricin) where
inhalation studies on humans cannot be conducted. Finally, this model has the additional benefit of reducing
animal and human use in experimental testing, thus reducing testing times as well as costs.
3-D Model of the Respiratory System Based on Human Scan Data
This document has been reviewed in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policy and approved for publication.
Office of Research and Development	1
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Research
The current model incorporates the nares through generation 23 of the lung, five lung lobes and three paths to
each of these lobes. In
addition to being
adaptable for age (>18
yrs), sex and ethnicity,
the current model also
accounts for height and	F?	K
weight when it calculates
its lung boundaries. It can
accomplish a full	lat	wi
breathing pattern, both	ml	mi
inhalation	and
exhalation, and explore
airflow and particle	* '---A
deposition. Research is	^	rat
ongoing to incorporate
. .... ...	...	1 um	5 urn
additional items that
define human airways and
impact	breathing,
deposition and clearance
patterns into the model including: 1) morphological changes created by respiratory disease, 2) dynamic
physiologies to mimic anatomical changes of the respiratory system during a breathing cycle 3) mucociliary action
and 4) the incorporation of functional alveoli. Once integrated, these items will allow for virtually any variation
of airway geometries and disease states.
Deposition Upon Inhalation (blue) and Exhalation (red) of 1, 5 and 10 micron MMAD Particles
Future Activities
•	This model (through a user interface) will be available to researchers for beta testing in early 2018.
•	Child data will be incorporated to simulate < 18yrs (expected 2018).
Peer Reviewed Publications
Rowe, Jacky Ann Rosati, Tang, Wei, McCauley, Rob and Ray Burton (2017), Three Dimensional CFD Model of the
Human Respiratory System: Airflow and Dosimetry. In Preparation.
Rosati Rowe JA, McGregor G, Burton R, McCauley R, Tan W, and Spencer, R. (2013) Development of a
Computational Fluid Dynamics Model of the Complete Human Respiratory System for Dosimetric Use.
Theor Bio Med Mod 10(1); 28-40.
Keywords
Respiratory System, Lung, Dosimetry, Deposition, Clearance, Three Dimensional Modeling, AEMD, Jacky Rosati
Contact Information
Jacky Rosati Rowe, U.S. EPA, QRD; rosati.jacky@epa.gov; 919.541.9429
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