Biomechanical modeling of deglutition

Abstract

Swallowing is a physiological process whose malfunction a effects the human quality of life, e.g. malnutrition, dehydration or asphyxia, and has been studied using in vivo approaches. However, advances in computational capacity have encouraged the production of more accurate computational models of offering advantages such as flexibility and reduced experimental costs. Hence, this work proposed the numerical solution of a 2D sagittal swallowing model with physiological accurate tongue's dorsum dynamics based on real time magnetic resonance imaging (RT-MRI) of a healthy young adult. The work designed a full factorial set of simulations and with a second order Box Behnken' surface response design, dimensional relationships were established between food bolus' rheology, swallowing speed, output flow rate, force and shear force over the tongue. Moreover, a dimensionless model was also proposed and exponential behaviors of pressure and friction coefficients as a function of Reynolds numbers were found with an exponential relationship. Such results are intended to predict swallowing flow conditions based on bolus' rheology and the speed of the swallowing event, and also serve as a first validation for more complex models that use other representation techniques. As validation approaches, the work addressed three indirect validations.