We present computational approaches for modeling lung parenchyma against the background of acute lung diseases and mechanical ventilation. An ensemble of alveoli representing a single ventilatory unit is modeled considering not only soft tissue behavior but also the influence of the covering surfactant lining. Novel nested multi-scale procedures are then employed to simulate the dynamic behavior of lung parenchyma as a whole and local alveolar ensembles simultaneously. A coupling of this multi-scale parenchyma model with a previously developed fluid-structure interaction model of the lower airways is proposed, opening up new vistas towards an overall ?virtual? lung.     «

We present computational approaches for modeling lung parenchyma against the background of acute lung diseases and mechanical ventilation. An ensemble of alveoli representing a single ventilatory unit is modeled considering not only soft tissue behavior but also the influence of the covering surfactant lining. Novel nested multi-scale procedures are then employed to simulate the dynamic behavior of lung parenchyma as a whole and local alveolar ensembles simultaneously. A coupling of this multi-s...     »