Correlating Local Volumetric Tissue Strains with Global Lung Mechanics Measurements

摘要: The mechanics of breathing is a fascinating and vital process. lung has complexities subtle heterogeneities in structure across length scales that influence function. This study establishes an experimental pipeline for capturing alveolar deformations during respiratory cycle using synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography (SR-micro-CT). Rodent lungs were mechanically ventilated imaged at various time points the cycle. Pressure-Volume (P-V) characteristics recorded to capture any changes overall mechanical behaviour experiment. A sequence tomograms was collected from within intact thoracic cavity. Digital volume correlation (DVC) used compute three-dimensional strain field level reconstructed tomograms. Regional differences ventilation highlighted cycle, relating local strains tissue global measurements. Strains locally reached approximately 150% compared averaged regional 80–100%. Redistribution air observed cycling. Regions which relatively poorly (low its neighbouring region) deforming more uniformly later stages experiment (consistent with region). Such heterogenous phenomena are common everyday breathing. In pathological lungs, some these non-uniformities deformation can become exaggerated, leading poor function or further damage. technique presented help characterize multiscale biomechanical nature given pathology improve patient management strategies, considering both mechanics.