A scalable force propagation approach for web-based deformable simulation of soft tissues

Physically based models and simulation are usually computationally intensive and not suitable for real-time interactive virtual reality applications including on-line medical training and surgical simulation. In this paper, we propose and develop a web-based scalable deformable model by simulating deformation of soft tissues as a successive force propagation process. This approach avoids laborious formulation of stiffness matrices in conventional mass-spring models. Computational speed is optimized by taking into account only the nodes confined in localized deformation regions. Scalability is achieved by controlling the degree of localization. The model is applicable for simulating both hollow and volumetric objects. The proposed technique provides a scalable solution for web-based interactive applications involving soft tissues deformation.