ENGS 89/90 Reports

Year of Graduation

2025

Project Advisor

Peter Chin

Instructor

Solomon Diamond

Document Type

Report

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Tracheal intubation in 4 - 12 week old infants is a highly risky procedure due to their immature, narrow and weak physiology that makes them less resilient to stress and more susceptible to complications. Currently, there is a lack of clinical models that adequately mimic an infant’s respiratory response. Hence, we developed a respiratory simulation model specifically trained for infants in this age range as an educational tool. DartLung, is a simulation model that represents the changes in alveolar pressure, lung volume, airflow rate, and muscle pressure during spontaneous breathing. Our work builds upon existing respiratory models and ventilation studies, introducing an approach tailored specifically for the 4 - 12 week infant population. Using a system of differential equations and physiological parameters, we simulate spontaneous respiratory mechanics. We created a user interface that allows users to input patient parameters and receive predictive output. This is the first iteration of DartLung, and while it provides a foundational framework for understanding infant respiratory mechanics, it does not yet offer real-time clinical guidance or fully validated predictions for intubation outcomes. Further refinements are needed, including integration of more comprehensive physiological data, validation against clinical cases, and expansion to model critical respiratory events such as oxygen desaturation. The project is conducted in collaboration with Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) with the goal of benefiting anesthesiologists, pediatricians, and researchers. As researchers expand upon DartLung, the simulation model has the potential to positively impact patient care for a vulnerable population.

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