The utility of hybrid in silico models of airflow and aerosol dosimetry in the lung.

The development and application of multi-scale models of the lung has significantly increased in recent years. These hybrid models merge realistic representations of the larger airways with lower-dimensional descriptions of the bronchioles and respiratory airways. Due to recent advancements, it is possible to calculate airflow and dosimetry throughout the entire lung, enabling model validation with human or animal data. Here, we present a hybrid modeling pipeline and corresponding characteristic airflow and particle deposition hotspots. Next, we discuss the limitations of current hybrid models, including the need to update lower-dimensional deposition function descriptions to better represent realistic airway geometries. Future directions should include modeling diseased lungs and use of machine learning to predict whole lung dosimetry maps for a wider population.