A Translating Stage System for Micro-PIV Measurements Surrounding a Migrating Semi-Infinite Bubble

We have designed, created, and evaluated a translating stage system (TSS) used for Micro Particle Image Velocimetry (μ-PIV) measurements surrounding the tip of a migrating semi-infinite bubble in a glass capillary tube. This study is relevant to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is characterized by pulmonary airway collapse and fluid occlusion. Subsequent airway reopening, driven by mechanical ventilation, may generate damaging mechanical stresses on the airway walls that can result in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Our goal in this study is to characterize and demonstrate a system for mechanically canceling the mean forward velocity of a migrating bubble, allowing continuous measurement near the tip region of interest. This system will be used to validate our previous boundary element computations in a surfactant-free system [1] and further explore airway reopening phenomenon related to surfactant physiochemical interaction.