Numerical Study on the Effect of Nerve Control on Upper Airway Collapse in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory disease characterized by the upper airway collapses and reopens repeatedly during sleep. Though the nerve control plays a key role in the upper airway collapse, it has been considered in previous studies only with lumped parameter models. Based on a finite element model including airway and surrounding structures, the effect of nerve control on the upper airway collapse was studied with fluid-structure interaction method. Spring elements were used to simulate the function of the muscle group. The simulation results show that the nerve control reduces the deformation of airway successfully and avoids the risk of OSAS.