Cutting Simulation Based on Minimal Tetrahedron Subdivision Method in Virtual Surgery

Cutting simulation in virtual surgery was discussed. Virtual soft tissue model is represented by tetrahedron mesh. Minimal element subdivision method is used for tetrahedron subdivision. To improve algorithm efficiency, data structures with 4 basic elements: vertices, edges, faces and tetrahedrons, as well as relational pointers between these elements, were designed. Implementation details of the different types in minimal element subdivision were discussed. Methods to solve internal inconsistancy during tetrahedron subdivision were given. Collision detection algorithm based on spatial coherence was used. Finally cutting simulation was applied to a liver model and results were discussed.