Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the mechanism of efficient sputum excretion from the distal lung by using a tessellationally distal lung model with alveolar pores.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a two-dimensional tessellational composite structure of the bronchus, alveoli and alveolar pores (Kohn pore) is constructed with the tessellational splitting and fusion of regular hexagonal elements. Then, the level set method is used to study the effects of alveolar pores and their sizes, expiratory cycles and respiratory intensity.

Findings

The existence of alveolar pores is the prerequisite for sputum excretion, and there is an optimal size of alveolar pores for sputum excretion. Strong asymmetric respiration can break the reversibility of the flow at a low Reynolds number and causes significant net displacement of sputum. The expiratory cycle is negatively correlated with the net displacement of sputum. The respiratory intensity is positively correlated with the net displacement of sputum.

Originality/value

This research is helpful for understanding the complex sputum excretion process in diseases, such as pneumonia, and developing corresponding adjuvant therapy.

中文翻译：

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远肺排痰流动机制及影响因素研究

目的

本文的目的是通过使用具有肺泡孔的镶嵌远端肺模型来研究远端肺有效排痰的机制。

设计/方法/途径

首先，通过正六边形元素的镶嵌分裂和融合，构建支气管、肺泡和肺泡孔（Kohn孔）的二维镶嵌复合结构。然后，利用水平集方法研究肺泡孔及其大小、呼气周期和呼吸强度的影响。

发现

肺泡孔的存在是排痰的前提，存在一个排痰的最佳肺泡孔大小。强烈的不对称呼吸可以在低雷诺数下破坏流动的可逆性，并导致痰液的显着净位移。呼气周期与痰净排量呈负相关。呼吸强度与痰净排量呈正相关。

原创性/价值

该研究有助于了解肺炎等疾病复杂的排痰过程，并开发相应的辅助治疗。