On cutting and dissection of virtual deformable objects

Tissue dissection is an important procedure in surgical simulation systems. Dissection involves cutting through and separating the tissue after a cut. In this paper, we use a surface mass-spring model to simulate virtual dissection by progressive subdivision and re-meshing. We introduce novel algorithms to generate interior structures that show the cutting result generated by the interaction between instrument and model. In addition, a novel data structure for object representation after the cutting action is proposed which allows the original soft object to be divided and a portion manipulated away. The dissection environment can support a number of user interface devices which can manipulate different representation of virtual instruments. These techniques are being integrated into a training environment for both open and minimally invasive surgery.