Aerodynamics of Nasal Breathing
in Theory and Practice

Statistical Shape Model of Healthy Nasal Cavities — Mean Geometry

Reference Used for the Digital Analysis of Nasal Breathing

Based on Data Sets Acquired by CT Scans of the Paranasal Sinuses

Impairments of nasal breathing belong to the central issues in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. Due to the complex anatomy and physiology of the nose there are several open questions regarding the intranasal airstream and the involved mass and heat transfer.

Modern Technologies and alternative theoretical concepts might provide new impulses for further development.

At the Biofluid Mechanics Lab of the Charité we address these topics. Primarily, we are using the computational fluid dynamics methodology (CFD) for the investigations. In contrast to experimental approaches, CFD also enables patient-specific applications. As a result one obtains flow parameters with a high spatial and temporal resolution. They can be compared with those of a statistical shape model and subsequently evaluated in context with provided clinical information.

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Thomas Hildebrandt
  • Studied Medicine at the Humboldt-University of Berlin 1984-1990
  • ENT Residency at the University Hospital Charité in Berlin under Prof. Gerhardt 1990-1995
  • Consultant at the Park-Clinic Weissensee in Berlin under Prof. Behrbohm 1995-2002
  • Private practice at the Sana Hospital in Berlin 2003-2004
  • Head of the Rhinosurgery Section, Department of Plastic Surgery at the Asklepios Clinic Birkenwerder 2005-2011
  • Consultant at the Oberhavel Clinics in Hennigsdorf near Berlin 2011-2013
  • Practicing in Zurich 2009-2021
  • Visiting scientist at the Biofluid Mechanics Lab of the Charité in Berlin since 2014
  • Member of staff at the Praxisgemeinschaft Gartenmatt AG in Bülach since 2021

Dr. med. Thomas Hildebrandt is member of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, the Union of Zurich’s ENT Specialists and the European Rinologic Society.

Services

Interested colleagues are welcome to request the full text of our publications (»Pubmed) or the data set of the mean geometry derived from our statistical shape model of symptom-free subjects. We would be pleased to provide them.

At the Praxisgemeinschaft Bülach there is the possibility to evaluate rhinologic problems clinically and using Digital Analysis of Nasal breathing (»Video). Feel free to make an appointment.