Effect of flow rate on particle deposition in a replica of a human nasal airway

Charge-coupled device ( CCD) imaging technology was used to observe how the spatial deposition patterns of inhaled aerosols changed as a function of r ate of airflow through the airway. This technology allows the experimenter to measure local particle deposition patterns of different sized fluorescen t particles at different flow rates in a full-scale multisection replica of a human nasal airway. Total particle deposition efficiencies and particle deposition patterns were measured in the nasal airway for 5.5-mu -diameter particles at constant flow rates of 10, 20, 30, and 40 L/min. Images of flu orescing particles on each plate of the exposed model were taken with a CCD camera and combined to form three-dimensional particle deposition patterns . Total particle deposition efficiency as measured with the model was found to be consistent with in vivo data. Impaction was found to be the dominant mechanism by which 5.5-mum-diameter particles deposit within the model, in agreement with published inhalation data.