Numerical modeling of the respiratory system, based on pediatric data

Project Leader: Benjamin MAUROY (J. A. Dieudonné Laboratory , CNRS Université Côte d'Azur)

Project Partners: J. A. Dieudonné Laboratory  and Lenval University Hospital (CHU Lenval)

This project aims to set up a database of 3D respiratory system models, and is part of the collaboration between the VADER center and the pulmonology department of the Lenval University Hospital Center.

The project will start with the development of a 3D geometric representation of the respiratory system for the study of movements and different mechanical parameters (pressure, density, rigidity, etc.). This geometric representation will allow the creation of a database (final objective) that is common to both teams. It will be based on the various tests performed by CHU Lenval physicians (CT-Scan, MRI, etc.).

The geometric representation performs a segmentation on the CT-scan to represent the lungs and the main bronchial tubes in the form of a mesh. For the lungs, a fitting of this mesh to a Bézier volume model will keep the details of the lungs while reducing the size of the files. For the bronchial tree, a skeleton will be created on the first bronchi, while an algorithm for generating the bronchial tree will be used, which takes into account the first bronchi and the geometry of the lungs.

In particular, the database will facilitate the contributions of the Lenval University Hospital Center team to the assessment campaigns (national or international) for the treatment of diseases specific to the respiratory system. Furthermore, it will also be useful to the VADER Center’s research projects aimed at understanding the functioning of respiration (gas exchange, air transport, mucus, etc.).

Project start and end dates: May 2019 - September 2019