FIG. 6.

CFD simulations of Y-connector performance when connected to an ETT during invasive mechanical ventilation. Compared with the conventional system (a), the streamlined design (b) significantly reduces turbulent viscosity ratio, which is a measure of turbulence intensity and correlates with aerosol particle deposition. Due to reduced turbulence and continually curving surfaces, high depositional drug loss in the conventional Y-connector (c) is reduced in the streamlined design (d). ETT, endotracheal tube. Redrawn from Longest et al.⁽⁹⁰⁾ with permission of American Association for Respiratory Care.