Method for fabricating a physical simulation device, simulation device and simulation system

Abstract

A method for fabricating a physical simulation device of an internal element of interest ( 9 ) located inside an object. The method comprises the steps of: receiving one non-destructive measurements of an imaged region, determining a three dimensional model of the imaged region ( 8 ) and materials of the object in locations of the three dimensional model, generating first and second volumetric models ( 18 ) from the three dimensional model, computing a deformed configuration of the first volumetric model under predefined loads and constraints on the basis of assigned intrinsic material properties, assigning to elementary volumetric elements of the second volumetric model ( 18 ) materials on the basis of the deformed configuration of the first volumetric model, fabricating a simulation device of the internal element of interest according to the second volumetric model ( 18 ) with the assigned materials.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . An organ simulation device configured to simulate a portion of an in vivo organ, the organ simulation device comprising:
 an organ replica having an internal surface topology and an external surface topology, the organ replica being formed from a plurality of materials, the plurality of materials having different intrinsic material properties, wherein:   the internal surface topology of the organ replica replicates the internal surface topology of the in vivo organ portion;   the external surface topology does not match the external surface topology of the in vivo organ portion; and   wherein the materials of the organ replica are selected and arranged to such that a mechanical behavior of the organ replica in a first deformed configuration and in a second deformed configuration substantially matches mechanical behavior of the in vivo organ.   
     
     
         37 . The organ simulation device of  claim 36 , wherein the first deformed configuration comprises a configuration resulting from the application of first predefined loads to the surface of the organ replica and the second deformed configuration comprises a configuration resulting from the application of second predefined loads to the surface of the organ replica. 
     
     
         38 . The organ simulation device of  claim 37 , wherein the first predefined loads and the second predefined loads correspond to one of volumetric forces, surfacic forces, punctual forces, thermic forces, electric forces, or magnetic forces. 
     
     
         39 . The organ simulation device of  claim 37 , wherein the first predefined loads and the second predefined loads further correspond to stress field associated with an introduction of a stent into the in vivo organ portion. 
     
     
         40 . The organ simulation device of  claim 37 , wherein the first predefined loads and the second predefined loads further correspond to stress field associated with an introduction of a catheter into the in vivo organ portion. 
     
     
         41 . The organ simulation device of  claim 36 , wherein the mechanical behavior of the organ replica in the first deformed configuration and in the second deformed configuration includes simulation of a plurality of mechanical constraints associated with the combined mechanical response of the in vivo organ portion and surrounding body portions. 
     
     
         42 . The organ simulation device of  claim 41 , wherein the surrounding body portions comprise at least one of tissue, bone, or joint that provide mechanical feedback on the surface of the in vivo body portion. 
     
     
         43 . The organ simulation device of  claim 41 , wherein the surrounding body portions comprise an additional portion of the replicated organ portion beyond that for which the internal surface topology is replicated. 
     
     
         44 . The organ simulation device of  claim 36 , wherein the plurality of materials of the organ replica are arranged as plurality of voxels deposited according to an additive manufacturing process. 
     
     
         45 . The organ simulation device of  claim 36 , wherein the organ simulation device is unitarily formed. 
     
     
         46 . The organ simulation device of  claim 36 , wherein the organ portion comprises a portion of an artery. 
     
     
         47 . The organ simulation device of  claim 46 , wherein the artery comprises the carotid artery. 
     
     
         48 . A method of manufacturing the organ simulation device of  claim 36 , comprising:
 receiving at an additive manufacturing device at least one computer readable data file corresponding to the organ replica, the at least one computer readable data file including an 3D arrangement of voxels, each voxel being associated with at least one of a plurality of 3D printable materials; and   printing the organ replica, using the additive manufacturing device and the received at least one computer readable data file.   
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising coupling the organ replica to a physical support structure at a device interface of the organ simulation device. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising generating the at least one computer readable data file. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein generating the at least one computer readable data file comprises capturing an image of the in vivo organ portion and surrounding body portions. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 50 , wherein generating the at least one computer readable data file further comprises:
 generating a volumetric model of the in vivo body portion, wherein the volumetric model includes at least a first volumetric element and a second volumetric element, wherein the first volumetric element disposed to deform according to a first set of loads and constraints and the second volumetric element disposed to deform according to a second set of loads and constraints.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the volumetric model includes a plurality of voxels. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprises assigning one of the 3D printable materials to each of the voxels of the volumetric model using an iterative cost function minimization process. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising converting the volumetric model to the at least one computer readable data file.