An overview of recent applications of computational modelling in neonatology

Abstract

This paper reviews some of our recent applications of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model heat and mass transfer problems in neonatology and investigates the major heat and mass-transfer mechanisms taking place in medical devices, such as incubators, radiant warmers and oxygen hoods. It is shown that CFD simulations are very flexible tools that can take into account all modes of heat transfer in assisting neonatal care and improving the design of medical devices.

Figure 1.

(a) Three-dimensional model of the Caleo incubator, with CFD results displayed as flow pathlines coloured by temperature; (b) polyhedral mesh for the Caleo incubator.

Figure 2.

(a) General view of the Fisher & Paykel CosyCot radiant warmer at Hammersmith Hospital; (b) bottom view of the lamp; (c) geometry of the lamp incorporated into the model; (d) temperature field obtained from the CFD model with the neonate in the spread position.

Figure 3.

Geometrical model of a neonate nursed under an oxygen hood (reproduced from Ginalski et al. (2008) with permission from IOP Publishing).

Figure 4.

Contours of oxygen mole fraction plotted at different stages of the respiration cycle (adapted from Ginalski et al. (2008) with permission from IOP Publishing).