[Insight-developers] The Insight Journal-New Submission

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Hello,
A new submission has been added to the Insight Journal.

Title: Coupling Finite Element and Mesh-free Methods for Modelling Brain Deformation in Response to Tumour Growth
Author(s): Berger, Jamie; Horton, Asley; Joldes, Grand; Wittek, Adam; Miller, Karol
Abstract: 
Very little is known about the deformation effects of tumour growth within the brain. Computer simulations have the potential to
calculate such deformations. A method for computing localised high deformations within the brain's soft tissue is presented. Such
knowledge would be significant towards neuroscience and neurosurgery, particularly for quantifying tumour aggressiveness,
therapy planning, as well as surgical planning and simulation. A Finite Element mesh used in the vicinity of a growing tumour is
very quickly destroyed and cannot be used reliably unless complicated automatic re-meshing exists. Mesh-free methods are
capable of handling much larger deformations, however are known to be less reliable that Finite Element analysis for moderate
deformations. A mixed-mesh approach utilises mesh-free regions within localised high-deformation zones, with the remaining
model comprised of a Finite Element mesh. In this study, a new algorithm is proposed coupling the Finite Element and Element
Free Galerkin methods for use in applications of high localised deformation, such as brain tumour growth. The algorithm is
verified against a number of separate Finite Element and mesh-free problems solved via validated/commercial software.
Maximum errors of less than 0.85 mm were maintained, corresponding to the working resolution of an MRI scan. A mixed-mesh
brain model is analysed with respect to different tumour growth volumes located behind the left ventricle. Significant
displacements of up to 9.66 mm surrounding a 4118 mm3 sized tumour are noted, with 14.5% of the brain mesh suffering
deformation greater than 5 mm.

Download the paper at: http://hdl.handle.net/1926/1383
Review the paper at: http://insight-journal.org

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