The Audible Human Project: Modeling Subject-Specific Sound Transmission in the Lungs and Torso

A computational model for simulating sound propagation in the lungs and torso is being developed and evaluated. A theoretical model for sound propagation in the airways is coupled with an acoustic boundary element (BE) model for sound propagation in the lung parenchyma and a finite element (FE) model for sound propagation in the surrounding chest wall. Models are being validated theoretically and numerically and compared with experimental studies, including: lung-chest phantom models that simulate the lung pathology of pneumothorax; and normal human subject studies. This work is relevant to the development of advanced auscultatory techniques for lung, vascular and cardiac sounds within the torso and may be useful in the development of a more effective educational tool for teaching stethoscopic skills in the future.