Realizing Lobe-Specific Aerosol Targeting in a 3D-Printed In Vitro Lung Model.
Abstract
Background: Delivery of aerosols to isolated lobes of the lungs would be beneficial for diseases that have lobe-specific effects, such as cancer, pneumonia, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Recent computational fluid-particle dynamic (CFPD) modeling has demonstrated that in low flow rates, the inlet location of a particle at the mouth dictates the lobe into which it will deposit. However, realization of this lobe-specific deposition has yet to be attempted experimentally or in the clinic. To address this, we sought to develop a proof-of-concept in vitro model and targeting device for achieving lobe-specific delivery. Methods: Using 3D printing, a lung replica was created from a computed tomography scan of a healthy 47-year-old male volunteer and connected to a flow setup to control inlet flow rate and outlet airflow distribution to each lobe. A device was designed and fabricated that directs particles to an inlet location that is 5% of the total inlet area and described by radial coordinates (r,θ). Filter paper at sampling ports for each lobe was used to capture fluorescent polystyrene particles to quantify particle collection. We evaluated lobe-specific targeting at varied inlet coordinates, particle diameters, inle...Continue Reading
References
Citations
Software Mentioned
Related Concepts
Related Feeds
Cancer Imaging
Imaging techniques, including CT and MR, have become essential to tumor detection, diagnosis, and monitoring. Here is the latest research on cancer imaging.