SPH method: What is it and how is it used for medical simulations?

“Simple Complexity – Tech brought to you by Virtonomy” – Transforming Medical Simulations with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics

We’re thrilled to kick off our educational series, “Simple Complexity,” where we’ll break down intricate technologies into easily understandable insights. At Virtonomy, we’re passionate about making cutting-edge medical tech accessible to everyone. In this series, we’ll explore various innovative technologies that shape our product and healthcare, starting with Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH Method).

We mention this term a lot when we talk about the medical simulations our customers have access to. And now you can learn more about what we mean when we say we use the revolutionary SPH method and what its advantages are compared to other methods.

What is SPH method?

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) is a revolutionary method in computational modeling, particulary known for its use in medical simulations. Unlike traditional mesh-based methods, the SPH method uses particles to simulate various physical phenomena, allowing for highly accurate and flexible modeling of complex physical systems. This particle-based approach excels in handling dynamic interfaces and changing geometries, making it a powerful tool for various applications, especially in the healthcare technology.

Video 1: Simulation of an arterial catheterization on Virtonomy’s v-Patients web platform.

Although not limited to fluid dynamics, Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) performs exceptionally well for fluid simulations. Imagine viewing a fluid as a collection of particles moving and interacting based on their surroundings. This perspective allows SPH to simulate fluid properties with remarkable precision, providing insights that traditional methods might miss.

Moreover, because SPH is meshless, it eliminates the cumbersome process of meshing, streamlining the simulation workflow. SPH’s meshless nature means it can adapt to complex scenarios, such as free surface flows and intricate boundary interactions, making it an ideal choice for medical applications.

The SPH method for fluid dynamics simulations offers unparalleled accuracy in modeling fluid behavior, crucial for developing and testing medical devices.

Applications of the SPH Method in Medical Device Development

At Virtonomy, we leverage the power of SPH to transform medical device development. Our advanced anatomical simulations enable testing and optimization of medical implants and devices across a virtual population. This ensures safety and performance across diverse body types, providing critical insights early in the development process.

Our platform allows engineers to simulate how variations in anatomy affect device performance and identify potential design optimizations. By replacing traditional physical testing with validated simulations, we help accelerate development timelines and reduce costs.

Tortuosity of catheter pathways — Image 1: Using tortuosity of the catheter pathways to evaluate the effective pathway length, thus confidently determining the requirements for the catheter design. Patient with a low (left) and high (right) tortuosity value of the arterial pathway. Patients with highly tortuous venous or arterial systems can be more challenging to cannulate, because the catheters have to be much more flexible to avoid damaging the blood vessels by overstretching. Read more in our blog post about Catheter Design: Elevating Performance with Virtual Patients and Medical Simulation.

Real-World Applications

Imagine a world where the development of life-saving medical devices is not hindered by the limitations of physical testing. Our platform allows you to test and refine devices in a virtual environment, reducing the need for costly and time-consuming clinical trials. Here are some examples of how our technology can be applied:

Catheters:
- Placement Optimization: Simulate the insertion and navigation of catheters through complex anatomies to optimize placement techniques and improve procedural success rates.
- Design Refinement: Analyze catheter interactions with vessel walls to enhance flexibility and maneuverability, reducing the risk of vessel trauma and improving patient outcomes.

Cannulas:
- Flow Dynamics Analysis: Evaluate the impact of cannula design on blood flow dynamics to ensure efficiency and minimize shear stress, which can reduce the risk of hemolysis.
- Custom Fit: Develop patient-specific cannulas that conform to unique anatomical features, improving fit and reducing the risk of complications during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) procedures.

Stents:
- Deployment Simulation: Model the deployment of stents within arteries to predict expansion behavior and ensure proper apposition against the vessel wall.
- Material Testing: Assess the performance of different stent materials under physiological conditions to enhance durability and compatibility.

Valves:
- Functionality Testing: Simulate valve opening and closing dynamics to evaluate their functionality under various pressure and flow conditions, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
- Design Optimization: Analyze how different valve designs interact with surrounding cardiac structures to improve hemodynamic performance and reduce the risk of complications such as valve regurgitation or thrombosis.

Examples of different medical simulations done with the SPH method — *Image 2: Different scenarios simulated in Virtonomy’s software v-Patients. From left to right: Aorta cannulation with a catheter, Tricuspid stent, Aortic Valve ISO Benchtop test.*

Benefits of Medical Simulation for Cardiovascular Devices

By leveraging our SPH-based simulations, medical device developers can gain critical insights into the behavior of cardiovascular devices across diverse anatomical scenarios. This enables:

Accelerated Development: Reduce the time and cost associated with traditional physical testing by identifying potential design improvements early in the development process.
Improved Safety: Conduct comprehensive virtual testing to identify and mitigate risks, enhancing the safety profile of devices before clinical trials.
Enhanced Performance: Optimize device designs for a wide range of anatomical variations, leading to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Our platform empowers developers to innovate with confidence, bringing safer and more effective cardiovascular devices to market faster.

Advantages of the SPH method Over Traditional Methods

Flexibility in Modeling: The SPH method’s particle-based approach allows it to handle complex and dynamic interfaces more effectively than traditional methods.
Precision in Fluid Dynamics: By viewing fluids as interacting particles, the SPH method provides detailed insights into fluid properties and behaviors, making it highly effective for fluid dynamics simulations.
Meshless Workflow: The absence of a mesh simplifies the simulation process and allows for greater adaptability in modeling complex scenarios.

Benefits for Medical Professionals

Engineers and Developers: Gain access to a powerful simulation tool that provides insights into device behavior across a wide range of anatomical variations. This accelerates the development process and reduces the need for physical prototypes.
Medical Device Companies: Thoroughly optimize and test your medical devices, leading to better patient outcomes and improved population coverage.
Patients: Experience improved safety and efficacy of medical devices tailored to individual anatomical differences.

Are you ready to revolutionize medical device development? Contact us today to learn more about how our platform can benefit your company. Stay tuned for more insights in our “Simple Complexity” series, where we’ll continue to explore the fascinating technologies shaping the future of healthcare.