Three-dimensional modelling of particulate deposition in the human respiratory tract

This study is the first-ever approach to simulate particulate matter transport and deposition in the terminal bronchioles of the 17-generation, whole lung model by considering a possible entire branching pattern. The anatomically explicit, digital 17-generation conduit model is generated from the high-resolution CT data. A comprehensive size- and shape-specific particle transport and deposition study is performed for different physical conditions and finds a new deposition pattern for a realistic anatomical model. The present findings would potentially help the targeted drug delivery system design and increase the efficiency of the drug delivery to the specific positions in the pulmonary airways