An accurate benchtop model was developed to mimic the different forms of human upper airway collapse in adult sleep apnea patients. This was done via modeling the airway through digital imaging. Airway representative models were then produced in two steps via a customized pneumatic extrusion 3D printing system. This allowed the pressure of collapse and planes of collapse to be manipulated to accurately represent those seen in sleep apnea patients. The pressure flow relationships of the collapsible airways were then studied by inserting the collapsible airways into a module that allowed the chamber pressure (P_c) around the airways to be increased in order to cause collapse. Airways collapsed at physiologically relevant pressures (5.32–9.58 cmH₂O). Nickel and iron magnetic polymers were then printed into the airway in order to investigate the altering of the airway collapse. The introduction of the nickel and iron magnetic polymers increased the pressure of collapse substantially (7.38–17.51 cmH₂O). Finally, the force produced by the interaction of the magnetic polymer and the magnetic module was studied by measuring a sample of the magnetic airways. The peak force in (48.59–163.34 cN) and the distance over which the forces initially registered (6.8–9.7 mm) were measured using a force transducer. This data set may be used to inform future treatment of sleep apnea, specifically the production of an implantable polymer for surgical intervention.

中文翻译：

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上呼吸道建模：个性化手术干预治疗睡眠呼吸暂停的先驱

开发了一个准确的台式模型来模拟成人睡眠呼吸暂停患者不同形式的上呼吸道塌陷。这是通过数字成像对气道进行建模来完成的。然后通过定制的气动挤压 3D 打印系统分两步生产气道代表性模型。这允许操纵塌陷压力和塌陷平面以准确代表睡眠呼吸暂停患者中所见的压力。然后通过将可收缩气道插入模块中来研究可收缩气道的压力流动关系，该模块允许气道周围的腔室压力 (P _c ) 增加以引起塌陷。气道在生理相关压力下塌陷 (5.32–9.58 cmH ₂哦）。然后将镍和铁磁性聚合物打印到气道中，以研究气道塌陷的变化。镍和铁磁性聚合物的引入大大增加了坍塌压力（7.38-17.51 cmH ₂ O）。最后，通过测量磁性气道样品研究了磁性聚合物和磁性模块相互作用产生的力。使用力传感器测量 (48.59–163.34 cN) 中的峰值力和力最初记录的距离 (6.8–9.7 mm)。该数据集可用于为睡眠呼吸暂停的未来治疗提供信息，特别是用于手术干预的可植入聚合物的生产。