ARUP; ISBN: 978-0-9562121-5-3 - CMBBE 2012 - Cardiff University

Airflow Simulation of Nasal Cavity with Maxillary Sinus using Latent Heat
Model.
S.Hanida 1 , F.Mori 1 , K.Kumahata 2 , M.Watanabe 3 , S.Ishikawa 4 and T.Matsuzawa 5
1. ABSTRACT
The nasal cavity is a space between the nostril and the pharynx. The nasal cavity wall is
covered by the mucous membrane except nasal vestibule region. The nasal cavity has
temperature and humidity adjustment function to preserve the trachea and the lungs.
Temperature and humidity of inhaled air is controlled to suitable condition (temperature
is 34 °C, relative humidity is 100%) before reaching the pharynx via mucous membrane.
The nasal flow simulation is continued to understand nasal cavity functions. Although
latent heat effect was not considered in our previous model, latent heat is deprived due
to transition of water through the mucous membrane to the air. It influences temperature
of inhaled air in the nasal cavity. Therefore, we developed the nasal cavity wall model
for heat and humidity exchange considering latent heat. We simulated airflow of nasal
cavity included maxillary sinus using developed model. Furthermore, for verification of
simulation, temperature and relative humidity was compare with measured data in the
nasal valve region, unrealistic high temperature distribution was simulated using our
previous model. Excessive high temperature region was disappeared in this simulation.
And, the result using developed model illustrated good agreement with the
measurement results. Consequently, the developed model can simulate heat and
humidity exchange in the nasal cavity.
2. INTRODUCTION
The nasal cavity is a space between the nostril and pharynx. The functions of nasal
cavity are temperature and humidity adjustment of inhaled air, filtering and smell
sensing. The function of temperature and humidity adjustment is important to preserve
the trachea and lungs. Moreover, the nasal cavity wall is covered by the mucous
membrane except nasal vestibule. Temperature and humidity of inhaled air is controlled
to suitable condition before reaching the pharynx via mucous membrane. The nasal flow
simulation is continued to understand nasal cavity functions [1][2]. To understand nasal
1
PhD student, School of Information Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1
Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa, 923-1292 JAPAN
2
Fujitsu Nagano Systems Engineering Ltd, 1415 Tsurugamidorichou Nagano, Nagano, JAPAN
3
Fujitsu Ltd, 4-1-1 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, JAPAN
4
Doctor, Department of Otolaryngology, Kanazawa Municipal Hospital, 3-7-3 Heiwamachi, Kanazawa,
JAPAN
5
Professor, Research Center for Advanced Computing Infrastructure, Japan Advanced Institute of Science
and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Nomi, Ishikawa, 923-1292 Japan