Effect of Flow Rate on Aerosol Bolus Penetration in a Hollow Canine Lung Airway Cast

Abstract

A cast of dog tracheobronchial airways, which is complete to airways of 1 mm in diameter, was used for experimental studies of the effect of flow rate on aerosol bolus penetration during a tidal breath. Aerosol boli of 35 cm³ were injected during a 1-L inhalation of air. The recoveries of aerosol particles in expired air were measured after various breathholding times. The results show that the penetration depth of an aerosol bolus increases with decreasing flow rate, especially for flow in transition from a flat profile to a parabolic profile.

Key Words:

• aerosol penetration
• lung airway
• airway dimension
• breath flow rate