Biomechanical modeling of an alveolar sac for simulation of septal stresses in pulmonary edema

Amit Gefen*, David Elad, Robert J. Shiner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Experimental studies have shown that high pulmonary pressures occurring during ventilation may damage the capillary walls and lead to pulmonary edema. Knowledge of the structural stress distribution within the alveolar septa is a basic first step towards understanding this phenomenon. A two-dimensional alveolar sac model was developed for analysis of stress distribution in septal walls of a saline-filled lung. A parenchymal micrograph was digitized to yield a geometric replica of a typical alveolar sac. Stress concentrations were shown to develop near curved regions, where both tension and compression values may be as high as 20 times that of average stresses. These stresses and the cyclic loading of mechanical ventilation may increase the gaps between the endothelial cells of the capillary walls, and thereby, give rise to pulmonary edema.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
PublisherIEEE
Pages327
Number of pages1
ISBN (Print)0780356756
StatePublished - 1999
EventProceedings of the 1999 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 21st Annual Conference and the 1999 Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society (1st Joint BMES / EMBS) - Atlanta, GA, USA
Duration: 13 Oct 199916 Oct 1999

Publication series

NameAnnual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology - Proceedings
Volume1
ISSN (Print)0589-1019

Conference

ConferenceProceedings of the 1999 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 21st Annual Conference and the 1999 Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering Society (1st Joint BMES / EMBS)
CityAtlanta, GA, USA
Period13/10/9916/10/99

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