Date: Wednesday, 3 September, 14:00 – 15:30
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 optimal 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
Date: Wednesday, 3 September, 16:45 – 18:15
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.
Comodo.jl: A Julia package for Computational Biomechanics
Date: Wednesday, 3 September, 14:00 – 15:30
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
Date: Wednesday, 3 September, 09:00 – 10:30
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,
End-to-End Workflow for Patient-Specific Biomechanical Simulations: From CT scan to 3D model simulation results (BETA CAE)
Date: Thursday, 4 September, 14:15 – 15:45
Speaker:
Livia Emmanuela Baksiova
Finite Element (FE) modeling offers a powerful approach to simulate surgical scenarios and guide clinical planning. The aim of this workshop is to guide participants through the full process of creating patient-specific CT-based models, integrating implants, and performing simulations. It begins with the segmentation and 3D surface generation of a single vertebra from a spine CT scan using RETOMO. The workflow continues in ANSA with mesh processing and material assignment based on CT values. Participants will also learn how to assess mesh quality, integrate a screw implant, and define and solve load cases for static linear analysis using the EPILYSIS and LS-DYNA solvers. The session concludes in META with post-processing techniques for visualizing results, generating statistics, creating automated reports, managing multiple models, and preparing complete simulation sessions.
Fluid Structure Interaction Simulations of Heart Valves Using Abaqus FEA & FlowVision CFD
Date: Thursday, 4 September, 10:30 – 12:15
Speaker:
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Deniz Ozturk, PhD of FlowVision CFD
Fluid Structure Interaction (FSI) simulations can be challenging in biomedical research, especially where the large tissue deformations occur under fluid loads. An example to this is heart valves.
This workshop starts with the categorization of the heart valve FSI simulations based on their complexity from fluid simulation perspective, then gives the associated challenges and solutions with each complexity level i.e. native, in-vitro SVR & TAVR, patient-specific TAVR…
The session then continues with hands-on setup of an FSI simulation using Abaqus + FlowVision: A tri-leaflet heart valve model in a channel. This example will cover the basics and will lay the ground for additional complexities. The example used in the workshop will be distributed and attendees of the workshop will have a 2 month access to FlowVision.
To continue, the model form and verification differences in more complex cases, such as a patient-specific TAVR or a surgical PV cases will be covered.
Finally, ways to couple 3D flow simulation with 1D lumped parameter models will be included.