3D Printing enables Study of Airborne Particle Deposits in Lungs

A fully replicated human airway system is a new experimental tool that overcomes limitations in studying aerosol deposition in the lung at the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.

Designed and 3D-printed by Wei-Chung Su, PhD, MALDA consists of head and tracheobronchial airways and a representative alveolar section. It is coupled with particulate monitors to measure harmful aerosol deposition in ambient or workplace air.

“By further understanding the chemical composition of the aerosol, we will be able to estimate the inhalation dose of some toxic substances contained in the aerosol, then assess health risks for people who have occupational or environmental exposure,” Su said.

Aerosols can lead to adverse health effects such as lung dysfunction, cardiovascular disease and lung cancer.

The MALDA mobile unit enables experiments in real-world environments and provides valuable data for health studies, especially on lung problems caused by aerosols.

“MALDA can provide useful experimental data for health research, especially for lung problems caused by aerosol exposure,” Su said.

MALDA’s replicated airways reach up to the 11th airway branch, which allows for a more detailed study of aerosol deposition. Su and his team are currently working to improve the MALDA experiment to efficiently capture aerosol masses in the airways.

“By further understanding the chemical composition of the aerosol, we will be able to estimate the inhalation dose of some toxic substances contained in the aerosol, then assess health risks for people who have occupational or environmental exposure,” Su said.

“I’m thankful for UTHealth Houston for providing an amazing research environment and resources to allow my dreams to come true,” Su said. “MALDA wasn’t made at a store, but in UTHealth Houston labs with state-of-the-art technology.”

Find out more about UTHealth Houston at sph.uth.edu.