Dynamic analysis of a needle insertion for soft materials: Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian-based three-dimensional finite element analysis

• We performed ALE-based finite element analysis for agar gel and copper needles.
• We compared simulation results with corresponding experimental results.
• Deflections of each needle between both sets of results were different.
• There was no significant difference for mismatching area error.
• Our results have a potential to use as pre-operative surgical planning.

BackgroundOur goal was to develop a three-dimensional finite element model that enables dynamic analysis of needle insertion for soft materials. To demonstrate large deformation and fracture, we used the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) method for fluid analysis. We performed ALE-based finite element analysis for 3% agar gel and three types of copper needle with bevel tips.MethodsTo evaluate simulation results, we compared the needle deflection and insertion force with corresponding experimental results acquired with a uniaxial manipulator. We studied the shear stress distribution of agar gel on various time scales.ResultsFor 30°, 45°, and 60°, differences in deflections of each needle between both sets of results were 2.424, 2.981, and 3.737 mm, respectively. For the insertion force, there was no significant difference for mismatching area error (p<0.05) between simulation and experimental results.ConclusionsOur results have the potential to be a stepping stone to develop pre-operative surgical planning to estimate an optimal needle insertion path for MR image-guided microwave coagulation therapy and for analyzing large deformation and fracture in biological tissues.