PIV measurement of oscillatory flow in a micro-channel as a bronchiole model

The improvement of artificial respiration method has brought about the decrease in mortality of pulmonary diseases patients. Various respiratory curative methods, inclusive of HFOV (High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation), have been developed for more effectual and less harmful management of acute respiratory failure. However, the mechanism of gas transfer and diffusion in a bronchiole has not yet been clarified in detail. As a first approach to the problem, we measured oscillatory flows in a Y-shaped micro-channels as bronchiole model by micro Particle Image Velocimetry(micro PIV). In order to establish the fundamental technique of PIV measurements on oscillatory air flow in a micro-channel, we used about 500-nm-diameter incense smoke particles, a diode laser, a high speed camera including an objective lens, and a HFOV, which is effective technique for medical care of pulmonary disease patients, especially, infants. The bronchiole model size is that parent tube is $500\{mu}m$ width and $500\{mu}m$ depth, and daughter tubes are $450\{mu}m$ width and $500\{mu}m$ depth. From this study made on the phenomenon of fluid in micro size bronchus branch of a lung, we succeeded to get time series velocity distribution in a micro scale bronchial mode. The experimental results of velocity distribution changing with time obtained by micro PIV can give fundamental knowledge on oscillatory airflow in micro-channel.