PASSENGER J.: Efficient nonlinear FEM for soft tissue modelling and its GPU implementation within the open source framework SOFA

Abstract. Accurate biomechanical modelling of soft tissue is a key as-pect for achieving realistic surgical simulations. However, because med-ical simulation is a multi-disciplinary area, researchers do not always have sufficient resources to develop an efficient and physically rigorous model for organ deformation. We address this issue by implementing a CUDA-based nonlinear finite element model into the SOFA open source framework. The proposed model is an anisotropic visco-hyperelastic con-stitutive formulation implemented on a graphical processor unit (GPU). After presenting results on the model’s performance we illustrate the benefits of its integration within the SOFA framework on a simulation of cataract surgery.