COUPLED 2023

Multiphysics and Multiscale Modeling of Electrically Active Implants

  • Appali, Revathi (University of Rostock)
  • Gomes, Anna Fontes (University of Rostock)
  • Raben, Hendrikje (University of Rostock)
  • van Rienen, Ursula (University of Rostock)

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Electrical stimulation of human tissue is used in several medical scenarios, such as treating neurological disorders' symptoms and facilitating bone regeneration. A precise knowledge of the patient's anatomy and physiology for the placement of the stimulation electrodes and the choice of stimulation parameters are crucial for reaching the therapy goal. These goals can often only be achieved empirically during therapy, which requires several readjustments of the stimulation parameters. Computational models help understand the mechanisms of action of the stimulation therapy and, in turn, derive recommendations for the bestpossible stimulation parameters based on the patient-specific anatomy, condition, and therapy state. The SFB 1270 ELAINE focuses on three kinds of such therapeutic electrical stimulation: 1. Deep brain stimulation 2. Electrical stimulation for bone remodeling 3. Electrical stimulation for cartilage regeneration Our project in ELAINE focuses on the multi-physics and multiscale modeling of those electrically active implants. In this contribution, we discuss them in the context of multiphysics and multiscale modeling. This talk will present multiscale modeling in the context of an electrically active brain, bone, or cartilage implant. In that, we will explain the importance of multiphysics modeling on the micro scale to capture the inherent processes of cells. We will present the significance of multiscale modeling to reflect the biological hierarchy. The challenges involved in this process will also be discussed.