In-vitro study of pharyngeal pressure losses at the origin of obstructive sleep apnea

This paper presents an in-vitro experimental and theoretical study of pharyngeal airflow at the origin of obstructive sleep apnea. The air flow rate and pressure along a geometrical constriction are predicted from the upstream pressure and geometry. Quantitative results are validated for rigid 'in-vitro' replicas. The influence of asymmetry is discussed.