Modelling Surgical Cuts, Retractions, and Resections via Extended Finite Element Method

Abstract. We introduce a new, efficient approach for modelling the deformation of organs following surgical cuts, retractions, and resections. It uses the extended finite element method (XFEM), recently developed in ”fracture mechanics” for dealing with cracks in mechanical parts. XFEM eliminates the computationally-expensive remeshing that would be required if the standard finite element method (FEM) was used. We report on the successful application of the method to the simulation of 2D retraction. The method may have significant impact on surgical simulators and navigators.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: MICCAI
• Authors: Lara M. Vigneron, Jacques G. Verly, Simon K. Warfield
• Keywords: Extended finite Element, Medical Imaging, MICCAI 2004, Standard finite Element, finite Element Method