Transparent model of a portion of human airways to study aerosol transport and visualization of air circulation and process for producing thereof

摘要

The present invention relates to a model (1) of a portion of human airways to investigate aerosol transportation by means of optical measuring methods and to visualize flow of air in such a model, said model (1) comprising an internal cavity with an inlet opening (20) for inlet of aerosol and with a system of outlet openings (25) for discharge of aerosol, and which further comprises an internal cavity with spatial branching. The model (1) walls consists of a transparent silicon material with thickness in the range of 0.5 to 1 mm and reinforced in the region of the outlet opening (20) to a thickness in the range of 2 to 3 mm. The production of the model (1) is characterized in that data regarding the shape of the internal cavity of a portion of human airways are entered in an apparatus for quick manufacture of parts. The apparatus then produces a core having an external form corresponding to the indicated form of the internal cavity, whereupon the core is covered with a transparent silicon layer with a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 1 mm being reinforced in its terminal region to a thickness in the range of 2 to 3 mm. Subsequently, the silicon layer is let to harden whereupon by cutting, the terminal portions of the model (1) there is performed an inlet opening (20) and outlet openings (25), and the core is removed from the model (1).