Image-based Modeling of Upper Airway Flow in Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

namics software (CFD) was used to calculate natomical differences on flow resistance and inspiratory flow rates. Two types of models e segmented images. (1) Area-length curves of sopharynx through the epiglottis were used to tric flow models. These models were used to rea variation of flow resistance and pressure. e segmented 3D reconstruction were created, perpendicular to the airway centerline, and exported to a file. For each cross-section, an elliptical approximation was computed using leastsquared error fitting in the plane of the cross-section. The sequence of ellipses was used to generate an approximate 3D model, using commercial software (Gambit 2, Fluent, Inc). The elliptical model was used to evaluate additional resistance due to airway curvature and cross-section aspect ratio.