A computational multilayer model to simulate hollow needle insertion into biological porcine liver tissue

Modelling of needle insertion in soft tissue has developed significant interest in recent years due to its application in robot-assisted minimally invasive surgeries such as biopsies and brachytherapy. However, this type of surgery requires real-time feedback and processing which complex computational models may not be able to provide. In contrast to the existing mechanics-based kinetic models, a simple multilayer tissue model using a Cou-pled Eulerian Lagrangian based Finite Element method has been developed using the dynamic principle. The model simulates the needle motion for flexible hollow bevel-angled needle (15 degrees and 30 degrees, 22 Gauge) insertion into porcine liver tissue, which includes material parameters obtained from unconfined com-pression testing of porcine liver tissue. To validate simulation results, needle insertion force and cutting force within porcine liver tissue were compared with corresponding experimental results obtained from a custom-built needle insertion system. For the 15 degrees and 30 degrees bevel-angle needles, the percentage error for cutting force (mean) of each needle compared to computational model, were 18.7% and 11.9% respectively. Varying the needle bevel angle from 30 degrees to 15 degrees results in an increase of the cutting force, but insertion force does not vary among the tested bevel angles. The validation of this computationally efficient multilayer Finite Element model can help engineers to better understand the biomechanical behaviour of medical needle inside soft biological tissue. Ultimately, this multilayer approach can help advance state-of-art clinical applications such as robot-assisted surgery that requires real-time feedback and processing. Statement of significance The significance of the work is in confirming the effectiveness of multilayer material based finite ele-ment (FE) method to model biopsy needle insertion into soft biological porcine liver tissue. A multilayer Coupled Eulerian Lagrangian (CEL) based FE modelling technique allowed testing of heterogeneous, non -linear viscoelastic porcine liver tissue in a system, so direct comparison of needle tissue interaction forces on the intrinsic material (tissue) behaviour could be made. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the present research investigates for the first time modelling of a three dimensional (3D) hollow needle in-sertion using a multilayer stiffness model of biological tissue using FE based CEL method and presents a comparison of simulation results with experimental data. (c) 2021 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The research focused on developing a simple multilayer tissue model to simulate needle insertion into soft biological tissue, specifically porcine liver tissue. The study validated the accuracy of the computational model by comparing needle insertion forces and cutting forces with experimental data. The findings indicated that the bevel angle of the needle affects cutting force but not insertion force, highlighting the importance of understanding the biomechanical behavior of medical needles in soft biological tissue to advance clinical applications such as robot-assisted surgery.