Surgical Tissue Simulation with Multi-Resolution Computational Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical simulators fail to accurately and efficiently simulate the complex interactions between surgical tools and biological tissue, particularly in open surgery, due to limitations in haptic and visual feedback, which are crucial for realistic training experiences.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple computational threads with varying spatial resolutions to simulate the mechanics of biological tissue, providing high-resolution feedback at the site of user interaction, and integrating this with haptic and visual rendering to create a realistic surgical training environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single high-resolution computational model is used to simulate biological tissue mechanics, then the accuracy and realism of the simulation is improved, but the computational time and processing speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The computational model is divided into multiple threads, each responsible for calculating mechanics in specific spatial regions. This segmentation allows parallel processing where each thread works independently on its assigned region, maintaining high resolution where needed while improving overall computational efficiency through concurrent execution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spatial regions of the biological tissue are assigned different computational resolutions based on their importance. The first thread provides high spatial resolution for the interaction area where the surgical tool contacts the tissue, while the second thread provides lower resolution for surrounding areas. This local quality differentiation maintains simulation accuracy at critical locations while reducing overall computational load.
2Productivity
If multiple computational threads with different spatial resolutions are used, then the computational efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the simulation system worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation system is segmented into multiple computational threads with distinct spatial resolutions. Each thread is designed to work independently on specific regions, with clear division of labor between high-resolution and low-resolution processing areas. This segmentation simplifies the overall system architecture by allowing modular, independent development and execution of each thread.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly applying high-resolution computation across the entire tissue model, the system applies high resolution only partially to the interaction area where it is most needed. The second thread provides sufficient (though lower) resolution for surrounding areas. This partial application of high-resolution action achieves the necessary simulation fidelity while significantly reducing computational complexity.
3Measurement precision
If high spatial resolution is applied throughout the entire tissue model, then the visual fidelity is improved, but the rendering time and processing resources worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The visual rendering system applies high spatial resolution only to the first thread's interaction area where the surgical tool contacts the tissue, as this is where visual fidelity is most critical for training realism. The second thread renders surrounding areas at lower resolution. This local quality differentiation maintains compelling visual fidelity at the point of interaction while dramatically reducing overall rendering time and processing resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of uniformly rendering the entire tissue model at high resolution, the system applies high-resolution rendering partially only to the interaction area. The surrounding areas are rendered at lower resolution, which is sufficient for the training simulation. This partial rendering approach achieves the necessary visual fidelity for effective training while reducing rendering time and computational resource usage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A simulator simulates interaction between a surgical tool and biological tissue, providing real time visual and/or haptic feedback. The simulator receives tool input device information representative of a user's movement of a physical tool. The simulator simulates, based on the tool input device information, an interaction between the simulated tool and simulated biological tissue. The simulator uses multiple computational threads, some of which provide their calculations to interrelated threads for use. The simulator displays a visual representation of the simulated interaction between the simulated tool and the simulated biological tissue and provides haptic feedback to the user. The threads may operate asynchronously and have different spatial and/or temporal resolutions. Threads may be selectively activated and deactivated. Threads may move their spatial coverage.