A playground for biomechanical movement analysis and creation: Solving optimal control problems with the BioMAC-Sim-Toolbox
Speakers:
M. Sc. Alexander Weiß,
M. Sc. Markus Gambietz,
M. Sc. Sophie Fleischmann
(FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg)
Musculoskeletal simulations can provide valuable insights into kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activations during movement. It is challenging to measure these variables directly, especially in an outdoor environment. Using optimal control, the simulated motion is dynamically consistent and can be tailored to the defined movement task. Additionally, optimal control can be used to predict movement adaptations in reaction to altered external or internal conditions.
In this workshop, we will introduce our BioMAC-Sim-Toolbox, a powerful and versatile framework for opFmal control simulations. The toolbox is implemented in MATLAB and precompiled functions in C and compatible with OpenSim models. It allows tracking of data from different sensor modalities, like optical or inertial motion capture data. Participants will learn how to define and solve their own optimal control problems, and how to analyze the results. We will further provide guidance for understanding and using the different toolbox components and options.
SimVascular Workshop and User Training
Speakers:
Prof. Alison Marsden
Prof. Charles Taylor
Prof. David Parker
Dr. David Codoni
(Stanford University)
SimVascular is a fully open-source software for cardiovascular blood flow simulation, offering a complete pipeline from medical imaging to analysis. It supports image segmentation, unstructured meshing, physiologic boundary conditions, and multi-physics simulations. The C++-based svMultiPhysics solver incorporates fluid-structure interaction, large deformation with arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) formulation, electrophysiology, and cardiac mechanics. An accompanying Vascular Model Repository (VMR, www.vascularmodel.com) offers over 250 clinical datasets, supporting research in machine learning, medical devices, and reduced-order modeling. Extensive online documentation and tutorials with clinical examples are available.
This workshop includes sessions for both new and experienced users. New users will learn model construction, meshing, flow simulations, and best practices. Advanced sessions cover topics like cardiac mechanics, reduced-order modeling, surgical planning, and Python scripting. Participants can discuss their research challenges with developers and are encouraged to bring models and questions to the workshop.
Data-Driven Platform to Simulate Drug Deposition in Lung Airway
Speakers:
Dr. Ehsan Atefi (Manhattan University)
The workshop will introduce our AI-mediated platform for simulating drug deposition in lung airway. Attendees will learn about drug deposition in lung airway, optimization and machine learning approach in solving biomedical problems using synthetic data.
Learning objectives:
– AI application in biomedicine
– Optimization in biomedical engineering
– Drug deposition in lung airway
Comodo.jl: A Julia package for Computational Biomechanics
Speakers:
Dr. Kevin Moerman (University of Galway)
This workshop introduces Comodo.jl, an open source Julia package for computational (bio)mechanics and computational design. Comodo offers functionality for geometry processing, meshing, automated design, image-based modelling, and finite element analysis. Comodo.jl started out as a modern re-implementation in Julia of the MATLAB toolbox GIBBON. MATLAB is an interpreted language and hence does not scale well for high performance applications. In the context of biomedical engineering such applications may include medical device design optimisation, in-silico clinical trials, and clinical software deployment. To address this gap we here introduce Comodo, which loosely stands for Computational MOdelling for Design Optimisation. Comodo is implemented in Julia, which is a high performance and open source scientific programming language. Although its syntax is similar to MATLAB or Python its performance can match Fortran or C++.
Applied Biomechanics Simulations Using MoFEM, an Open-Source Parallel Finite Element Library
Speakers:
Liliana Sierra
Jakka Veera
(Universitat Pompeu Fabra)
This workshop introduces MoFEM (Mesh-oriented Finite Element Method), an open source finite element simulation software developed at the University of Glasgow. Tailored for advanced multi-physics simulations, MoFEM offers flexibility beyond commercial packages such as ANSYS or Abaqus, particularly for complex biomechanical applications.
During the workshop, participants will gain hands-on experience via three Jupyter notebooks focusing on:
1) Evaluating mechanical stability of bone-implant constructs,
2) Assessing patient-specific bone strength,
3) Modelling soft tissue deformation.
Attendees will access MoFEM server and receive step-by-step guidance through each simulation. This interactive session will introduce users to the workflow and inspire adapting MoFEM to their research problems,