Numerical analysis of magnetic effect on human breathing

Abstract

A numerical study is made of flow of air in human breathing. A permanent magnet is placed on the nose to create a magnetic field. The permanent magnet is modeled as a coil in which electric current flows, and the passage of air in the human body is modeled as a circular pipe. Airflow is induced by the applied pressure difference between the interior and exterior of the human body. An inhalation flow of constant pressure difference (model I) and a flow of pulsating pressure difference (model II) were examined for unsteady developments of flow, temperature and oxygen concentration, by numerical techniques. Transient responses are affected by both the temperature and oxygen concentrations. Flow of inhalation is enhanced under a magnetic field. High-temperature air, with a low oxygen-concentration, in the passage is repelled from the magnet toward the interior by the magnetizing force, and exhalation is suppressed by a similar mechanism. Suppression in the exhalation overwhelms enhancement in the inhalation, and this tendency is pronounced as the amplitude of pressure oscillation increases.