The goal of this clinical trial is to understand the impact of the size and shape of the soft palate on gas airflow in the upper airway in healthy volunteers. Utilizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), this study aims to investigate: * How does soft palate anatomy change in different body positions? * What is the impact of positive pressure therapy, in the form of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) on soft palate anatomy? Researchers will compare MRI data without positive pressure to with positive pressure imaging to see if the addition of positive pressure impacts the size and shape of the soft palate. Researchers will also utilize measures of upper airway resistance to assess the impact of soft palate anatomy of airflow dynamics. Participants will be asked to: * Lie inside an MRI scanner for up to 90 minutes (including breaks), in different body positions * Undergo NIV therapy for 5-10 minutes while breathing normally inside an MRI scanner * Have their upper airway resistance measured, in different body positions
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
50
Non-invasive ventilation adds positive pressure to the upper airway via a mask on the face.
University of Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand
Volumetric change of soft palate airway size in delta millimeters cubed,
millimeters cubed
Time frame: Single 2 hour visit
Impact of positive pressure ventilation on airway volume in millimeters cubed,
Change in soft palate airway size with addition of positive pressure ventilation, measured from segmented MRI data of soft palatal airway, and expressed in millimeters cubed, and delta millimeters cubed
Time frame: Single 2 hour visit
Upper airway resistance measurements
Changes in upper airway resistance based on different body positions, measured using anterior rhinomanometry according to international guidelines and resistance units expressed as Pa/cm3/s
Time frame: Single 2 hour visit
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.