title: Truth cube: establishing physical standards for soft tissue simulation.
abstract: Accurate real-time models of soft tissue behavior are key elements in medical simulation systems. The need for fast computation in these simulations, however, often requires simplifications that limit deformation accuracy. Validation of these simplified models remains a challenge. Currently, real-time modeling is at best validated against finite element models that have their own intrinsic limitations. This study develops a physical standard to validate real-time soft tissue deformation models. We took CT images of a cube of silicone rubber with a pattern of embedded Teflon spheres that underwent uniaxial compression and spherical indentation tests. The known material properties, geometry and controlled boundary conditions resulted in a complete set of volumetric displacement data. The results were compared to a finite element model analysis of identical situations. This work has served as a proof of concept for a robust physical standard for use in validating soft tissue models. A web site has been created to provide access to our database: http://biorobotics.harvard.edu/truthcube/ (soon to be http://www.truthcube.org).
authors.affiliation: Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA. kerdok@fas.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Amy E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kerdok
authors.forename: Stephane M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cotin
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ottensmeyer
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Galea
authors.forename: Robert D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Howe
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Dawson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019245:Compressive Strength; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004548:Elasticity; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009038:Motion; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology