Modelling Biomaterial Cutting

Finite Element Modelling of Biomaterial Cutting Process

Summary

From existing research literature it is clear that there is no well defined system for cutting sharpness measurement and that there is a gap in completed research pertaining to the modelling of the effect of cutting sharpness to the cutting process. Clearly the cutting process is influenced by many parameters all of which have and an affect on the ability of an instrument to cut a material such as blade parameters, material parameters, and cutting force systems. This project will focus on a theoretical and Finite Element Modelling approach to three aspects of the process, the blade profile, the cutting process and the material being cut.

The Research Team

Dr. Brendan McCormack Principal Researcher Department of Engineering, IT, Sligo. Mr. Cormac Flynn Research Student Department of Engineering, IT Sligo.

Project Details

The main aim of this research work is to develop a computational predictive model that helps to establish the relationship between the sharpness of a surgical cutting instrument and the target material. This theoretical modelling forms part of the overall description of the cutting process, and is complimented by experimental work by other researchers.

In particular, the work will achieve the following objectives

Development of a realistic theoretical model of the components and parameters of the cutting process.

Development of a parametric finite element model of the behaviour of a biological material such as skin or bone when cut using surgical blades.

Prediction of the expected failure mechanisms in the target material undergoing the cutting action.

Prediction of the effect of blade profile variation of the cutting actions and the target material.

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