Surgical Simulation Model Using Spring-Based Membrane for Real-Time Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical simulation models fail to compute the motion of simulated organs in real time due to limitations in modeling membrane tissues and dynamic conditions, leading to unsatisfactory deformation and computational divergence.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating volume data from medical images, meshing organs to form nodal points, creating simulated membranes with imaginary springs, and using these to compute the motion of simulated organs in real time, allowing for accurate deformation and reaction simulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a finite-element method with stiffness matrix is used to model organ deformation, then the accuracy of deformation simulation is improved, but the computation time increases and real-time computation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The organ model is divided into multiple nodes connected by springs, where each spring represents a discrete elastic element. This segmentation allows the complex continuous deformation problem to be approximated by discrete node-spring interactions, significantly reducing computational complexity while maintaining acceptable accuracy for real-time simulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mathematical parameters from a stiffness matrix based on Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio to a spring-based model with simpler elastic constants. This parameter transformation enables faster computation while still capturing the essential deformation characteristics of the organ tissue
2Speed
If linear physical and dynamic conditions are set to compute organ motion at high speed, then the computation speed is improved, but the deformation accuracy greatly differs from actual deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements by allowing the spring connections to adaptively change their properties during simulation. The spring constants can be adjusted based on the local deformation state, enabling the model to capture nonlinear deformation behavior while maintaining computational efficiency through incremental updates rather than full recalculations
3Device complexity
If membrane tissues are not modeled, then the device complexity is reduced, but the simulation suitability for preoperative planning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces membrane elements as intermediary structures between the organ volume and the external environment. These membranes are represented by nodes and spring connections that capture the essential behavior of tissue layers without requiring full volumetric modeling, thus adding necessary realism while controlling complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables real-time computation of simulated organ motion and deformation, enhancing the accuracy and training effectiveness of surgical simulations by incorporating realistic membrane interactions and dynamic properties.
Implementation Method 1
arranging an imaginary inter-membrane spring that connects between the nodal point formed on the surface of the organ and the membrane nodal point
Implementation Method 2
arranging an in-plane spring that connects between adjacent membrane nodal points on the simulated membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical simulation model generating method includes: a first process in which a computing unit acquires geometrical information of an organ from a medical image stored in a storage unit, including an image of the organ, and generates volume data for the organ; a second process in which, after the first process, the computing unit forms nodal points by meshing the organ represented by the generated volume data; a third process in which the computing unit generates a simulated membrane that covers the organ represented by the volume data meshed in the second process; and a fourth process in which the computing unit generates a simulated organ by drawing an imaginary line so as to extend from each nodal point formed on a surface of the organ represented by the volume data meshed in the second process in a direction that intersects the simulated membrane and thereby forming a membrane nodal point at a point where the imaginary line intersects the simulated membrane generated in the third process, and by arranging on each imaginary line an imaginary inter-membrane spring that connects between the nodal point formed on the surface of the organ and the membrane nodal point, while also arranging an in-plane spring that connects between adjacent membrane nodal points on the simulated membrane.