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Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Wall Shear Stress and Pressure Distribution from a Neti Pot During Nasal Saline Irrigation

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Abstract

Purpose

Nasal irrigation is the process of passing the saline solution through the nasal passages which is frequently used in the management of the inflammatory nasal and paranasal disease. This paper aims to investigate wide range of head positions on nasal saline irrigation using Computation fluid dynamics model to show the wall shear stress and pressure of the irrigant.

Methods

The geometry of the nasal cavity and maxillary sinuses obtained from a Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of a healthy male without any nasal abnormality. Pressure and the mucosal wall shear stress have been mapped during nasal saline irrigation from a Neti Pot using CFD simulations at four different head positions.

Results

The wall shear stress was highest in regions including the turbinates and nasal valve for most of the head positions and inlet side directions. All head positions and side irrigations, the mucosal wall shear stress at the left congested side is higher than at the right patent side. Also, the saline pressure at the side of irrigation is higher than at the contralateral side of irrigation.

Conclusion

The results from this study show that changing the user condition will affect the efficacy of the nasal saline irrigation treatment.

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Abbreviations

CFD:

Computational fluid dynamics

CRS:

Chronic rhinosinusitis

FESS:

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery

ASL:

Airway surface liquid

PCL:

Periciliary liquid layer

ATP:

Extracellular nucleotides such as adenosine triphosphate

VOF:

Volume of fluid

MTV:

Mucociliary transport velocity

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Acknowledgements

This research would not have been possible without the exceptional support of A/Prof Roy Nates from Auckland university of technology.

Funding

Not applicable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dynamic Technology Solutions Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand

    Hana Salati

  2. Department of Surgery, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

    Jim Bartley

  3. BioDesign Lab, School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

    Hana Salati & David E. White

Authors
  1. Hana Salati
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  2. Jim Bartley
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  3. David E. White
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hana Salati.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

A 49-year-old European male without any nasal abnormality (examined by an ENT surgeon), with approval from the Auckland University of Technology Human Ethics Committee (ref. 10/121 date: 14/07/2010).

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Salati, H., Bartley, J. & White, D.E. Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Wall Shear Stress and Pressure Distribution from a Neti Pot During Nasal Saline Irrigation. J. Med. Biol. Eng. 41, 175–184 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-020-00589-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40846-020-00589-6

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