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TECHNICAL PAPERS: Fluids/Heat/Transport

# Effect of Viscosity on Instilled Perfluorocarbon Distribution in Rabbit Lungs

[+] Author and Article Information
Stefano Tredici, David O. Brant, Ronald B. Hirschl

Department of Surgery, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Francesco Tredici

Biomedical Engineering Department, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Joseph L. Bull

Biomedical Engineering Department, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109joebull@umich.edu

J Biomech Eng 128(6), 857-861 (Jun 13, 2006) (5 pages) doi:10.1115/1.2354214 History: Received July 01, 2005; Revised June 13, 2006

## Abstract

The effect of viscosity on the distribution of perfluorocarbon instilled into the lungs for liquid ventilation was investigated. Perfluorocarbon (either perfluorodecalin or $FC‐3283$) was instilled into the trachea during ventilation at a constant infusion rate of $40ml∕min$ and radiographic images were obtained at $30frames∕s$. Image analysis was performed and the homogeneity index of the distribution was computed for images at the end of inspiration of each breath to evaluate the evolution of perfluorocarbon distribution during filling. The higher viscosity perfluorocarbon (perfluorodecalin) resulted in a more homogeneous distribution. This was attributed to perfluorodecalin’s higher propensity to form liquid plugs in large airways and to those plugs leaving behind a thicker liquid layer as they propagated through the lungs.

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Topics: Viscosity , Lung , Ventilation

## Figures

Figure 1

Lung images at various times: (a) PFDEC and (b) FC-3283 at t=0, the start of instillation; (c) PFDEC and (d) FC-3283 at t=0.33, when 1∕3 of the PFC is instilled; (e) PFDEC and (f) FC-3283 at t=0.67, when 2∕3 of the PFC is instilled; and (g) PFDEC and (h) FC-3283 at t=1, when all 60ml of the PFC has been instilled. Note that time is scaled by infusion time, so that time indicates the fraction of total PFC that has been instilled.

Figure 2

Fraction reached versus time for each of the four lung quadrants when filled with (a) PFDEC and (b) FC-3283. Each graph contains the fraction reached for the upper left (UL), lower left (LL), upper right (UR), and lower right (LR) quadrants.

Figure 3

Homogeneity index, HI, versus time, t, for PFDEC and FC-3283

Figure 4

(a) Leading edge of liquid plug versus T, and (b) center of mass versus T, for PFDEC (dashed line) and FC-3283 (solid line)

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