Polyflow packages, Marchal noted, and users are employing simulations using more of a systems-engineering approach. In biomedical, researchers have used both FEA and CFD
simulation systems to model how pacemakers interact with the heart and the overall cardiovascular system. “This is huge work, but we are taking a systems-level approach,” Marchal added. Researchers for the Foundation Leducq in Paris, France, have simulated surgeries to help treat congenital heart defects in small infants. “Most of the time when you manufacture a part, you don’t just run a simulation once,” he said. “Each time you need to re-run the simulation. With a full 3-D model, you want to run that very effectively. There was a wonderful example by the Foundation Leducq where doctors in Italy were able to save the life of a newborn by modeling the entire heart and cardiovascular system of the baby.” With a systems approach, this type of modeling can be done very quickly, Marchal stated, and in some cases, it may even replace some clinical testing. ME