Capturing complexity in pulmonary system modelling

Abstract

Respiratory disease is a significant problem worldwide, and it is a problem with increasing prevalence. Pathology in the upper airways and lung is very difficult to diagnose and treat, as response to disease is often heterogeneous across patients. Computational models have long been used to help understand respiratory function, and these models have evolved alongside increases in the resolution of medical imaging and increased capability of functional imaging, advances in biological knowledge, mathematical techniques and computational power. The benefits of increasingly complex and realistic geometric and biophysical models of the respiratory system are that they are able to capture heterogeneity in patient response to disease and predict emergent function across spatial scales from the delicate alveolar structures to the whole organ level. However, with increasing complexity, models become harder to solve and in some cases harder to validate, which can reduce their impact clinically. Here, we review the evolution of complexity in computational models of the respiratory system, including successes in translation of models into the clinical arena. We also highlight major challenges in modelling the respiratory system, while making use of the evolving functional data that are available for model parameterisation and testing.

New Approach Methodology for Assessing Inhalation Risks of a Contact Respiratory Cytotoxicant: Computational Fluid Dynamics-Based Aerosol Dosimetry Modeling for Cross-Species and In Vitro Comparisons

“… Calmet et al , 2018 ; Feng et al , 2016 ; Garcia et al , 2009 ; Keeler et al , 2015 ; Martonen and Wilson, 1983 ; Schroeter et al , 2016 ; Se et al , 2010 ). Fortunately, the time and effort to develop multiple models and perform the computational chemistry and physics processes associated with aerosols in even these complex, transient simulations continue to be reduced as technological advancements are made ( Corley et al , 2015 ; Clark et al , 2017 ).…”

A quasi-static poromechanical model of the lungs

“…Lung mechanical modeling Lung modeling, and especially pulmonary mechanical modeling, is a great challenge given the high level of complexity of the organ and its environment [Clark et al, 2017]. A major difficulty lies in the many scales involved in pulmonary physiology and pathology, from the organ to the alveoli, through the lobe, segment, lobule and acinus scales [Burrowes et al, 2019].…”

COPD Pathogenesis

“…The concept of disease as an emergent phenomenon has gained increasing acceptance with the recognition that physiological disorders result from a convergence of abnormalities at the molecular level. 1,2 With regard to the lung, computer simulations of pulmonary emphysema have shown that disturbances at the local tissue level can lead to global structural and mechanical alterations, represented by widespread distention and rupture of alveolar walls. 3,4 In one study, a network of springs (representing elastic fibers and collagen) was modified by either increasing their stiffness or removing them entirely, resulting in architectural changes similar to those seen in pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, respectively.…”