Tissue Models

Background

The Virtual Population is a series of highly detailed, image-based anatomical models combined with a comprehensive tissue properties database for the dielectric and thermal parameters. The next challange is to extend the tissue database to the different physics but also to develop tissue models that accurately model the complex dynamic biological processes (e.g., neuronal dynamics, tissue damage, and growth models).

Selected Past Achievements

• Development of a tissue perfusion model that accounts for thermoregulation, body-core temperature increases, discrete vasculature, and effective thermal conductivity changes
• Implementation of thermal tissue damage models based on non-linear dose concepts and Arrhenius-like kinetics
• Development of dynamic models of (sprouting) angiogenesis and of tumor growth that consider the interplay of molecular, cellular and tissue level factors.

Next Challenges

• • To jointly extend the tissue properties database with the FDA and experimental partners, e.g., inclusion of mechanical properties (considering non-linear material models) and acoustic.
  • To create models of dynamical processes in the vessel wall. Atherosclerotic plaque and aneurysm development will be modeled to consider different aspects such as inflammation, endothelium injury, wall remodeling, thrombogenicity and mechano-transduction. 
  • To interfacing the NEURON simulation software (www.neuron.yale.edu) with our EM solvers, i.e., the Virtual Population models and the neuronal networks available through the NEURON ModelDB web can be combined and are accessible for simulation. Dynamic representations of selected neuron activity in various brain regions and sensory organs will be integrated in anatomical models.