Untitled Document

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) is a non-intrusive method for mapping velocity profiles that uses seeded fluorescent particles to track the flow, a high powered laser to illuminate the flow and a high speed digital camera to capture unique flow phenomena. Research is underway at RIT to utilize PIV to map flow fields in anatomically accurate lung models.

The group's mission is to develop and document a lab manual for the dissection of a rat with the goal of casting the precise geometry of the lungs. This casting will then be used to create a hollow model of a rat lung with a demonstrated ability to produce quality PIV images. A second hollow model of a human replica lung will also be created by the group and demonstrated in the PIV system.

Develop a dissection method that allows the team to obtain a lung cast of a rat following proper ethical procedure for small animal dissection.
Document the dissection and casting procedures in a step-by-step lab manual.

Includes written procedures, diagrams, pictures, and movies
Includes list of required materials and personnel
Includes a “best-practices” or lessons-learned section

Create a negative mold from the rat lung casting that allow for quality lung models to be cast with few manufacturing imperfections.

Smooth surface texture
Enough room for liquid material to flow and air to escape

Research, identify, and validate material for hollow model

Determine index of refraction and find index matching fluid
Verify material melting point is adequate for laser in PIV system

Create a hollow rat lung model from the mold that meets the following criteria

Must have inlet/outlet connections that match the PIV system and have no effect on the fluid flow
Model must be free of manufacturing imperfections
Model must have flat surfaces for minimal glare and reflections
Model material must allow enough light transmission for quality imaging
Index matching fluid for chosen model material must be easily obtainable

Create a hollow human lung replica model from the provided human lung cast that meets the same criteria as the rat lung model
Demonstrate the lung models in the PIV system to validate the process and produce better results in the PIV system.

Completion of lab manual for the dissection of a rat and casting of the solid model

Written procedures, diagrams, pictures, and video
List of materials, personnel, and safety procedures for instructor
Best practices (lessons learned) section
Tested with 3rd year Mechanical Engineering students

Hollow model of a human replica lung

Demonstrated ability to produce PIV images
Hollow model material must transmit sufficient amount of light
Hollow model material must have index matching fluid
Hollow model must have interior and exterior surfaces that do not degrade image quality
Hollow model internal volume must be free of bubbles or voids
Hollow model must connect with inlet/outlet ports in PIV system
Hollow model cannot artificially influence flow characteristics

Hollow model of a rat lung

Demonstrated ability to produce PIV images
Hollow model material must transmit sufficient amount of light
Hollow model material must have index matching fluid
Hollow model must have interior and exterior surfaces that do not degrade image quality
Hollow model internal volume must be free of bubbles or voids
Hollow model must connect with inlet/outlet ports in PIV system
Hollow model cannot artificially influence flow characteristics