Determining deformation resistance in cutting soft tissue with nonuniform thickness

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Simulation
• Haptic Interaction

Background:

• Realistic haptic feedback in surgical training requires accurate models of tool-tissue interaction.
• Understanding soft tissue mechanics during cutting is crucial for developing these models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the mechanical response of soft tissue during cutting.
• To characterize the deformation resistance of liver tissue at various cutting speeds.
• To determine the effect of cutting speed on tissue deformation resistance.

Main Methods:

• Experiments involved cutting liver specimens of varying thickness at speeds from 0.1 to 2.54 cm/sec.
• Cutting forces, tool displacement, and stereo imaging were recorded.
• Image analysis determined the time-varying depth-of-cut.

Main Results:

• Cutting force and displacement data revealed distinct deformation and crack extension phases.
• Local Effective Modulus (LEM) was used to quantify deformation resistance.
• Cutting speed significantly affected the deformation resistance of the soft tissue.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully characterized soft tissue deformation resistance during cutting.
• Findings provide essential data for creating more accurate haptic interaction models for surgical simulation.
• Cutting speed is a critical parameter influencing tissue mechanics in surgical tool interactions.