Numerical simulation of respiratory obstruction by a toy or food using swallowing simulator Swallow Vision

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to visualize how the obstruction occurs and clarify the interaction between human and bolus physiology to prevent the accident suffocation.The human model was created using medical images of CT and Video-fluorography of swallowing. The toy and food bolus model was created using experimental measurements. Those two models were integrated in a software,which was based on one of the meshless methods, moving particle simulation (MPS) method.As a result, two types of suffocation were revealed. One is obstruction of the pharyngeal space. A elastic jerry with high rigidity can occupy the pharyngeal space to obstruct air flow. The other is obstructing the glottis. A peanut or small toy can pass through the pharynx to the larynx, then it remains on the glottis obstructing air flow.The future study will create more models to clarify the biomechanics and suggest public proposal to prevent suffocation.