Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway
Abstract The uvula flapping is one of the most distinctive features of snoring and is critical in affecting airway aerodynamics and vibrations. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of pharyngeal vibration and pressure fluctuation due to uvula flapping employing fluid–structure interaction sim...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28994-2 |
| _version_ | 1828041636759732224 |
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| author | Yicheng Chen Xin Feng Xie-Qi Shi Weihua Cai Biao Li Yijun Zhao |
| author_facet | Yicheng Chen Xin Feng Xie-Qi Shi Weihua Cai Biao Li Yijun Zhao |
| author_sort | Yicheng Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The uvula flapping is one of the most distinctive features of snoring and is critical in affecting airway aerodynamics and vibrations. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of pharyngeal vibration and pressure fluctuation due to uvula flapping employing fluid–structure interaction simulations. The followings are the methodology part: we constructed an anatomically accurate pediatric pharynx model and put attention on the oropharynx region where the greatest level of upper airway compliance was reported to occur. The uvula was assumed to be a rigid body with specific flapping frequencies to guarantee proper boundary conditions with as little complexity as possible. The airway tissue was considered to have a uniform thickness. It was found that the flapping frequency had a more significant effect on the airway vibration than the flapping amplitude, as the flapping uvula influenced the pharyngeal aerodynamics by altering the jet flow from the mouth. Breathing only through the mouth could amplify the effect of flapping uvula on aerodynamic changes and result in more significant oropharynx vibration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:19:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-555ef201bfa14ec8ae4d7d15ac3542a8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T17:19:18Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-555ef201bfa14ec8ae4d7d15ac3542a82023-02-05T12:10:19ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222023-02-0113111310.1038/s41598-023-28994-2Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airwayYicheng Chen0Xin Feng1Xie-Qi Shi2Weihua Cai3Biao Li4Yijun Zhao5School of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of TechnologyDivision of Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, Akerhus University HospitalDepartment of Clinical Dentistry, Section for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of BergenSchool of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of TechnologySchool of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of TechnologySchool of Energy Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of TechnologyAbstract The uvula flapping is one of the most distinctive features of snoring and is critical in affecting airway aerodynamics and vibrations. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism of pharyngeal vibration and pressure fluctuation due to uvula flapping employing fluid–structure interaction simulations. The followings are the methodology part: we constructed an anatomically accurate pediatric pharynx model and put attention on the oropharynx region where the greatest level of upper airway compliance was reported to occur. The uvula was assumed to be a rigid body with specific flapping frequencies to guarantee proper boundary conditions with as little complexity as possible. The airway tissue was considered to have a uniform thickness. It was found that the flapping frequency had a more significant effect on the airway vibration than the flapping amplitude, as the flapping uvula influenced the pharyngeal aerodynamics by altering the jet flow from the mouth. Breathing only through the mouth could amplify the effect of flapping uvula on aerodynamic changes and result in more significant oropharynx vibration.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28994-2 |
| spellingShingle | Yicheng Chen Xin Feng Xie-Qi Shi Weihua Cai Biao Li Yijun Zhao Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway Scientific Reports |
| title | Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway |
| title_full | Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway |
| title_fullStr | Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway |
| title_full_unstemmed | Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway |
| title_short | Computational fluid–structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway |
| title_sort | computational fluid structure interaction analysis of flapping uvula on aerodynamics and pharyngeal vibration in a pediatric airway |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-28994-2 |
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