A 3D discrete model of the diaphragm and human trunk

TL;DR

This paper introduces a 3D discrete model of the human trunk that simulates breathing movements by representing tissues with particles and forces, validated against MRI data and capable of simulating pathologies.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel 3D discrete model of the trunk that accurately simulates breathing and can model specific pathologies like hemidiaphragm paralysis.

Findings

Good correlation between model and real MRI data

Model effectively simulates breathing volume and geometry

Capable of simulating pathological conditions

Abstract

In this paper, a 3D discrete model is presented to model the movements of the trunk during breathing. In this model, objects are represented by physical particles on their contours. A simple notion of force generated by a linear actuator allows the model to create forces on each particle by way of a geometrical attractor. Tissue elasticity and contractility are modeled by local shape memory and muscular fibers attractors. A specific dynamic MRI study was used to build a simple trunk model comprised of by three compartments: lungs, diaphragm and abdomen. This model was registered on the real geometry. Simulation results were compared qualitatively as well as quantitatively to the experimental data, in terms of volume and geometry. A good correlation was obtained between the model and the real data. Thanks to this model, pathology such as hemidiaphragm paralysis can also be simulated.