3D airway model to assess airway dead space

Abstract

High flow therapy works partly by washout of airway dead space, the volume of which has not been quantified in newborns. This observational study aimed to quantify airway dead space in infants and to compare efficacy of washout between high flow devices in three-dimensional (3D) printed airway models of infants weighing 2.5-3.8 kg. Nasopharyngeal airway dead space volume was 1.5-2.0 mL/kg in newborns. A single cannula device produced lower carbon dioxide (CO) levels than a dual cannula device (33.7, 31.2, 23.1, 15.9, 10.9 and 6.3 mm Hg vs 36.8, 35.5, 32.1, 26.8, 23.1 and 18.8 mm Hg at flow rates of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 L/min, respectively; p<0.0001 at all flow rates). Airway pressure was 1 mm Hg at all flow rates with the single cannula but increased at higher flow rates with the dual cannula.Relative nasopharyngeal airway dead space volume is increased in newborns. In 3D-printed airway models, a single cannula high flow device produces improved CO washout with lower airway pressure.

Applications of 3D printing in critical care medicine: A scoping review

“…67–70 Three studies used 3D printing to create anatomical models for the purpose of testing devices or to complete physiological studies, without the need to involve live patients. 67–69 Zaylaa and colleagues created an incubator for preterm infants by printing parts of the incubator then incorporating circuity and a heating unit. 70 The 3D-printed incubator achieved higher scores in all measures compared with other incubation methods, including commercial incubators.…”