Respiratory simulation system including an anatomical model of the human nasal cavity configured for in-vitro inhalation studies and associated methods

A method of in-vitro inhalation toxicological screening, the method comprising:

• (a) providing an anatomical model of a nasal cavity comprising a model body including separable upper and lower model portions together defining the nasal cavity and including fluidic channels therein that define an olfactory region of the upper model portion and define a nasal passage of the lower model portion;
• (b) positioning a biocompatible porous membrane between the upper and lower model portions;
• (c) culturing olfactory neuron cells within the fluidic channels;
• (d) culturing olfactory epithelium cells on the biocompatible porous membrane;
• (e) coating a surface of the nasal cavity with an artificial mucous layer;
• (f) coupling a respiratory simulation system to the anatomical model of the nasal cavity and simulating a breathing pattern with air entering and exiting via the nostril region;
• and
• (g) sampling at least some of the artificial mucous layer to determine concentrations and distributions of chemical substances therein.