Major ViP Extension: Morphing of Virtual Population Models Broadens BMI Population Coverage

For nearly a decade, regulators and industry have called for additional types of computational models that are urgently needed to broaden population coverage with respect to the body mass index (BMI). Today, we are proud to announce a major breakthrough: a series of validated morphed models that extend our well-known Virtual Population (ViP) library and provide the long-awaited solution for better population coverage.

The new models “mViP” became possible thanks to our recent important achievements to extend non-linear large deformation constitutive equations with a tissue growth term, as well as a robust approach to adaptive unstructured mesh generation that allow to combine morphing with interactive posture editing running on a desktop computer. In the new morphed models, the subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) is morphed to simulate how an individual would gain (or lose) weight. The SAT volume expansion, analogous to thermal expansion, deforms surrounding tissue elastically while being constrained by rigid bones.

Three different morphed versions of Ella (22, 26, 30 kg/m²) and Fats (29, 33, 40 kg/m²) have been released at this point, closing major gaps in terms of BMI distribution across our Virtual Population. In addition, a modified model of Ella (Ella Breast Coil) that has been created for specific applications, such as breast coil design or safety assessments, is provided.

Additional morphed models that cover higher BMI values or that take other tissues (e.g., muscle tissue) into consideration will become available soon. Based on the new technology, we are able to provide customized models for specific applications on demand (customized@itis.swiss).

An overview of the new models can be found here. For more information, contact us at virtualpopulation@itis.swiss.