A Nonlinear Finite Element Model of Soft Tissue Indentation

Mathematically describing the mechanical behavior of soft tissues under large deformations is of paramount interest to the medical simulation community. Most of the data available in the literature apply small strains (<10%) to the tissue of interest to assume a linearly elastic behavior. This paper applies a nonlinear hyperelastic 8-chain network constitutive law to model soft tissues undergoing large indentations. The model requires 2 material parameters (initial modulus, locking stretch) to reflect the underlying physics of deformation over a wide range of stretches. A finite element model of soft tissue indentation was developed and validated employing this constitutive law. Ranges of the initial shear modulus and locking stretches were explored based on values found for breast tissue [17, 25]. Results of the model are shown with a lookup table containing third order polynomial coefficient fits. This work serves as an initial method to determine the unique material parameters of breast tissue from indentation experiments.