A Finite Element Method Based Deformable Brain Atlas Suited for Surgery Simulation

Brain atlases are valuable tools that assist neurosurgeons during the planning of an intervention. Since current printed and digitalized brain atlas have several disadvantages, including lack of physical descriptions of brain structures and incompatibility with finite element analysis, we have developed a meshed brain atlas for finite element analysis of surgical procedures. Our meshed atlas is a multiple-object FE model integrated with knowledge of mechanical properties of brain tissue with detailed anatomical information. A non-linear hyper-viscoelastic mechanical property typically suited for neurosurgery simulation is incorporated. We then partially validated the utility of this model by numerical simulation of a gravity-induced brain deformation scenario. This meshed atlas is able to account for the deformation of both the whole brain and individual structures. It can be applied in large scale finite element simulations and, therefore, offers the possibility of developing bio-mechanical surgical planning and training systems