Dynamic analysis of a needle insertion for soft materials: Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian-based three-dimensional...

Area of Science:

• Computational mechanics
• Biomedical engineering
• Material science

Background:

• Developing accurate computational models for soft material deformation is crucial for medical simulations.
• Needle insertion into soft tissues involves complex large deformation and fracture phenomena.
• Existing models often lack the dynamic analysis capabilities required for precise simulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a three-dimensional finite element model for dynamic analysis of needle insertion into soft materials.
• To utilize the arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method to simulate large deformation and fracture.
• To validate the model using experimental data for agar gel and various needle types.

Main Methods:

• ALE-based finite element analysis was performed on 3% agar gel using three types of copper needles.
• Needle deflection and insertion forces were simulated and compared with experimental results from a uniaxial manipulator.
• Shear stress distribution within the agar gel was analyzed over different time scales.

Main Results:

• Simulated needle deflections showed close agreement with experimental data across various angles (30°, 45°, 60°), with differences of 2.424, 2.981, and 3.737 mm, respectively.
• No significant difference (p<0.05) was found in insertion force between simulation and experimental results, indicating model reliability.
• The study analyzed shear stress distribution, providing insights into material behavior during insertion.

Conclusions:

• The developed finite element model accurately predicts needle insertion dynamics in soft materials.
• This model can aid in pre-operative surgical planning for procedures like MR-guided microwave coagulation therapy.
• The methodology offers a foundation for analyzing large deformation and fracture in biological tissues.