A Brief Note on Building Augmented Reality Models for Scientific Visualization

Augmented reality (AR) has revolutionized the video game industry by providing interactive, three-dimensional visualization. Interestingly, AR technology has only been sparsely used in scientific visualization. This is, at least in part, due to the significant technical challenges previously associated with creating and accessing such models. To ease access to AR for the scientific community, we introduce a novel visualization pipeline with which they can create and render AR models. We demonstrate our pipeline by means of finite element results, but note that our pipeline is generally applicable to data that may be represented through meshed surfaces. Specifically, we use two open-source software packages, ParaView and Blender. The models are then rendered through the platform, which we access through Android and iOS smartphones. To demonstrate our pipeline, we build AR models from static and time-series results of finite element simulations discretized with continuum, shell, and beam elements. Moreover, we openly provide python scripts to automate this process. Thus, others may use our framework to create and render AR models for their own research and teaching activities

Impact of Tricuspid Annuloplasty Device Shape and Size on Valve Mechanics: A Virtual Case Study

"Tricuspid valve disease affects 1.6 million Americans [1]. The primary surgical treatment for tricuspid valve disease is the implantation of annuloplasty devices – ring like devices which come in various shapes and sizes. However, selection of ring size and shape are often motivated by surgeon preference rather than scientific rationale. We used our subject-specific finite element model of the human tricuspid valve, the Texas TriValve 1.0 [2], to conduct a virtual case study in order to understand the impact of device size and shape on valve mechanics and provide a rational basis for device selection. To this end, we implanted four different annuloplasty devices of six different sizes in our virtual patient. All finite element simulations were solved using the Texas Advance Computing Center’s Stampede2 supercomputer. After each virtual surgery, we computed the coaptation area, leaflet end-systolic angles, leaflet stress, and chordal forces. In Figure 1 we see the results of a baseline simulation of our healthy and diseased Texas TriValve. Figure 2 shows the outcome of all 24 virtual repair cases. Our results showed the choice of device shape and size significantly impacts valve mechanics. We found that the one flat device, the Edwards Classic, maximized coaptation area and minimized leaflet stress and chordal forces while the contoured devices were better at normalizing end-systolic angles. Further, we found reducing device size increased coaptation area while negatively impacting stress, chordal forces, and end-systolic angles. Our case study demonstrates the potential impact of device shape and size on valve mechanics. Further expanding our study to more valves may allow for universal recommendations in the future. [1] Nath, J. et al., JACC, 43:405-409, 2004. [2] Mathur, M. et. al., Eng with Comp, 38:3835-3848, 2022."Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC

Geometric data of commercially available tricuspid valve annuloplasty devices

Tricuspid valve annuloplasty is the gold standard surgical treatment for functional tricuspid valve regurgitation. During this procedure, ring-like devices are implanted to reshape the diseased tricuspid valve annulus and to restore function. For the procedure, surgeons can choose from multiple available device options varying in shape and size. In this article, we provide the three-dimensional (3D) scanned geometry (*.stl) and reduced midline (*.vtk) of five different annuloplasty devices of all commercially available sizes. Three-dimensional images were captured using a 3D scanner. After extracting the surface geometry from these images, the images were converted to 3D point clouds and skeletonized to generate a 3D midline of each device. In total, we provide 30 data sets comprising the Edwards Classic, Edwards MC3, Edwards Physio, Medtronic TriAd, and Medtronic Contour 3D of sizes 26–36. This dataset can be used in computational models of tricuspid valve annuloplasty repair to inform accurate repair geometry and boundary conditions. Additionally, others can use these data to compare and inspire new device shapes and sizes

Impact of tricuspid annuloplasty device shape and size on valve mechanics—a computational studyCentral MessagePerspective

Background: Tricuspid valve disease significantly affects 1.6 million Americans. The gold standard treatment for tricuspid disease is the implantation of annuloplasty devices. These ring-like devices come in various shapes and sizes. Choices for both shape and size are most often made by surgical intuition rather than scientific rationale. Methods: To understand the impact of shape and size on valve mechanics and to provide a rational basis for their selection, we used a subject-specific finite element model to conduct a virtual case study. That is, we implanted 4 different annuloplasty devices of 6 different sizes in our virtual patient. After each virtual surgery, we computed the coaptation area, leaflet end-systolic angles, leaflet stress, and chordal forces. Results: We found that contoured devices are better at normalizing end-systolic angles, whereas the one flat device, the Edwards Classic, maximized the coaptation area and minimized leaflet stress and chordal forces. We further found that reducing device size led to increased coaptation area but also negatively impacted end-systolic angles, stress, and chordal forces. Conclusions: Based on our analyses of the coaptation area, leaflet motion, leaflet stress, and chordal forces, we found that device shape and size have a significant impact on valve mechanics. Thereby, our study also demonstrates the value of simulation tools and device tests in “virtual patients.” Expanding our study to many more valves may, in the future, allow for universal recommendations