3D Tissue Simulation Models for Personalized Surgical Training
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current physical simulation devices for training surgeons and testing medical devices face challenges in accurately replicating the mechanical behavior of complex tissues, such as heterogenous or homogenous objects, due to limitations in material representation and fabrication complexity, leading to high costs, long fabrication times, and inability to personalize devices for specific operations or patients.
Innovation Solution
A method involving nondestructive measurements to create three-dimensional models of internal elements, assigning intrinsic material properties, and using additive manufacturing to fabricate simulation devices with selected materials, allowing for personalized and realistic simulation of tissue mechanics under predefined loads and constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional molding and assembly methods are used to fabricate simulation devices, then fabrication complexity and cost increase, but manufacturing precision and material representation remain limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical molding and assembly processes with additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology. This substitution enables direct fabrication of complex multi-material simulation devices from digital models, eliminating the need for separate molding and assembly steps while achieving superior material representation accuracy through voxel-based material assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental fabrication parameter from subtractive/molding processes to additive manufacturing processes. This parameter change enables the creation of simulation devices with complex internal structures and heterogeneous material distributions that cannot be achieved through traditional molding, while reducing overall fabrication complexity through digital workflow integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard design simulation devices are used, then fabrication time is reduced, but adaptability for personalized training and device testing is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by creating digital voxel models and assigning material properties before fabrication. This preliminary digital preparation enables rapid customization of simulation devices for different surgical procedures and patients without requiring time-consuming physical retooling or remolding, thus achieving both personalization and efficient fabrication.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the design parameter from fixed standard geometries to customizable voxel-based models. This enables each simulation device to be tailored to specific surgical scenarios and patient anatomies while maintaining efficient fabrication through automated additive manufacturing processes that can quickly adapt to different digital models.
3Manufacturing precision
If heterogeneous multi-material simulation devices are fabricated using traditional methods, then material representation accuracy improves, but fabrication time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fabrication processes into a single additive manufacturing operation. By combining material assignment, structural creation, and device fabrication into one integrated voxel-based workflow, the system achieves high manufacturing precision for heterogeneous materials while dramatically improving fabrication efficiency compared to traditional sequential molding and assembly methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple molding and assembly operations with a digital-additive manufacturing system. This substitution enables simultaneous fabrication of complex multi-material structures in a single process, achieving superior mechanical behavior replication while maintaining high productivity through automated digital workflows.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for fabricating a physical simulation device of an internal element of interest (9) located inside an object. The method comprises the steps of: receiving one non-destructive measurements of an imaged region, determining a three dimensional model of the imaged region (8) and materials of the object in locations of the three dimensional model, generating first and second volumetric models (18) from the three dimensional model, computing a deformed configuration of the first volumetric model under predefined loads and constraints on the basis of assigned intrinsic material properties, assigning to elementary volumetric elements of the second volumetric model (18) materials on the basis of the deformed configuration of the first volumetric model, fabricating a simulation device of the internal element of interest according to the second volumetric model (18) with the assigned materials.