Surgical Simulation Model of the Meniscus

提出了设计和验证计算机仿真 形成人类膝盖骨的组织模型。 这 研究将作为行业/大学的一部分 交互式计算机图形学合作研究中心 伦斯勒理工学院 现代微创 外科技术使得在概念上可以构建一个 手术训练模拟器，研究将针对 这个目标 建模约束与通常的约束不同 在计算机图形学或生物力学中遇到的问题。 的 模型必须能够支持实时仿真， 可视化显示的结构特征和 表面的材料，并提供令人信服的机械 反应 模拟将视神经组织为复合物 由多孔固体基质中的流体组成。 初始 建模将利用两种非常不同的方法：1） 有限元; 2）粒子系统近似。 有限的- 元素方法保证了高度精确的生物力学 代表性，而粒子系统的方法将更多 易于并行化和图形渲染。 最终 我们的目标是开发一种混合表示法。 除主要研究者外，建议 资助一名来自威廉姆斯学院的女本科生。 所有 人员素质高。 项目经理建议RUI的威廉姆斯学院， 为该项目提供一年30，000美元的奖励。 这 包括5，000美元用于“妇女、少数族裔和 残疾人工程研究助理。

It is proposed to design and validate a computer-simulation model of the tissue forming the menisci of the human knee. This research would be pursued as part of the Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Interactive Computer Graphics at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Modern minimally-invasive surgical techniques make it conceptually possible to construct a surgical-training simulator, and research will be directed towards this goal. Modeling constraints are different from those normally encountered in either computer graphics or biomechanics. The model must be capable of supporting real-time simulation, produce visualizations showing both the structural character and the surface of the material, and provide a convincing mechanical response. Simulations will treat meniscal tissue as a composite consisting of fluid within a porous solid matrix. Initial modeling will capitalize on two very different methodologies: 1) finite-element, and 2) particle-system approximation. The finite- element approach promises highly accurate biomechanical representation, while the particle-system approach will be more amenable to parallelization and graphical rendering. The eventual goal is to develop a hybrid representation. In addition to the principal investigator, it is proposed to support a woman undergraduate student from Williams College. All personnel are highly qualified. The Program Manager recommends that Williams College, a RUI, be awarded $30,000 for one (1) year for this project. This includes $5,000 for "Supplemental Funding of Women, Minority and Handicapped Engineering Research Assistants.