CFD Analysis of Different Cross-Sectional Areas of Sleep Apnea Patients Under Various Conditions

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent medical problem. The inhale and exhale breathing airflow parameters in obstructive sleep apnea patients are studied. The upper airway airflow is simulated using a steady-state Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) with an SST turbulence model. The 3D airway model is developed using Materialize Interactive Medical Image Control System (MIMICS) and ANSYS software. The simulation findings showed that the cross-sectional area of the airway affects velocity, Reynolds Number, and Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE). The TKE measures turbulence flow under both breathing circumstances for various patients. These findings may help develop a method that uses TKE to assess the severity of OSA. This work should help doctors researching OSA better grasp the impact of a cross-sectional area on airflow characteristics in the patient’s upper airway.