A novel virtual cutting method for deformable objects using high-order elements combined with mesh optimisation

Background Virtual cutting of deformable objects plays an important role in many applications, especially in digital medicine, such as soft tissue cutting in virtual surgery training system. Methods We developed a novel virtual cutting algorithm, combined with mesh optimisation. A new local mesh processing method is used to control the number and quality of the elements created during the cutting process. At the same time, high-order tetrahedral elements are used to fit the cutting surface and reduce the mesh size. Results In this paper, single cut, multiple cut and intersecting cut are performed on the mesh model, combined with a force feedback device, and the result obtained is that the visual feedback is higher than 30 Hz, and the tactile feedback is 800 similar to 1000 Hz. Conclusions Experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper can effectively eliminate low-quality elements and control the mesh size, thereby ensuring real-time simulation.