Sim4Life Release V3.0

ZMT is pleased to announce the release of Sim4Life V3.0. This major release offers enhanced tools for in silico optimization of in-/on-body wireless devices, exposure assessment of wireless power transfer (WPT) systems and for the design of 5th generation (5G) wireless devices. It also adds many powerful new solvers and modules for neuronal and acoustic evaluations, e.g., brain and spinal cord stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, and for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) optimization and demonstration of MRI-safety of implants.

NEW FRAMEWORK FEATURES

• A new technique for posing anatomical models based on biomechanical finite element method (FEM) simulations, now available for all models of the Virtual Population, allows for more robust results with challenging postures.
• The new “Control-Point Morphing” tool enables interactive free-form deformations on modeling entities, such as anatomical surface models. An intuitive interaction paradigm that allows design of deformation fields with real-time previews of results can be used for global and local modifications of a surface model.
• An improved material database engine provides a more powerful and intuitive way to assign, edit, and review the material properties of any simulation. Getting materials properly set-up is now easier than ever!
• A new parameterization engine that intuitively uses parameterized expressions throughout the platform, i.e., for modeling, simulation and analysis, also defines and maintains inter-relationships between different components.
• Various productivity and framework enhancements, e.g., multi-tree functionality, on-the-fly unit conversion, several Python scripting extensions, auto-script generation, and powerful mesh repair and reconstruction tools, facilitate the use of Sim4Life.
• The streamlined analysis and post-processing workflow, e.g., the grouping of workflows in the workbench, makes access to and quantification of the results more effective. Also, new viewer types have been added.

NEW VOXEL ENGINE

• Sim4Life V3.0 features a new finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) topological voxeler engine that is up to 20× faster than the old approach and achieves better results with coarser grids for discretization of complex/fine structures (>10× faster runtime for specific simulations). Moreover, the voxel display is now instantaneous (>50× faster).

NEW AND EMPOWERED SOLVERS

• EM FDTD
  • The unique GPU-empowered FDTD subgrid solution (Acceleware) has been greatly extended by allowing connected subgrids, i.e., multiple overlapping subgrids that adapt themselves only in the vicinity of a structure to enclose it without wasting resources in unused areas.
  • The antenna array designer tools provide an efficient workflow for rapid prototyping of WiGig or 5G compatible technologies. Performance or exposure scenarios of different phased-array configurations can be assessed at postprocessing, without re-running simulations.
• EM LF
  • With a focus on WPT applications, V3.0 includes several novel features, e.g., a coil wizard, surface current sources a calculator for magnetic energy, that enable users to immediately address innovative new designs as well as tackle the latest specifications (Qi, AFA).
  • A new solver added to the family of low frequency solvers allows the computation of materials with magnetic permeability and enables the calculation of ferrites and shielding, as well as PEC and PMC materials.
  • The range of solvers now also makes it possible to simulate metallic medical implants for low frequency applications to address urgent needs of the medical market.
• NEURO
  • Modeling the interaction between electrical fields and neuronal dynamics in V3.0 has been significantly extended to allow simulation of large numbers of neurons, including neurophysiologically and morphologically detailed neuron models, introduce point processes (voltage/current-clamps, alpha synapses), include additional pre-defined dynamics models, and offer a flexible scripting interface (parallel simulation).
• ACOUSTICS
  • The acoustics engine now supports high performance computing on multiple GPUs, thus facilitating simulation of large models and higher acoustic frequencies. An important extension is the addition of a non-linear pressure wave model that permits modeling of interactions between the fundamental frequency and higher harmonics and the investigation of waveform effects. Support for phased-array transducers has been added.
• µWAVES/MODE-MATCHING
  • V3.0 now offers waveguide sources for the excitation of different modes of rectangular, circular and coaxial waveguide cross-sections to simulate waveguide structures accurately and efficiently.
  • A new state-of-the-art solver based on the mode-matching technique (MMT) combined with the generalized scattering matrix (GSM) has been developed for analysis of various composite waveguide structures such as E-plane filters, cavity filters, and power dividers.

NEW MODULES

• A new gradient coil designer allows MRI gradient coils to be designed for a given coil geometry and specifications. The tool generates realistic wire patterns on arbitrary surfaces and calculates the amplitude of the excitation current needed for a given gradient strength to help coil designers develop new coils that generate highly linear gradient fields.
• In addition, V3.0 includes a new IMSAFE-G module for assessment of MRI safety of active implanted medical devices with respect to gradient-induced fields.
• The new MUSAIK-S (preview) comes with a complete redesign of the user interface, smoothly integrating with the look-and-feel of Sim4Life. Enhanced features include drag&drop of results from V3.0, explorer approach, and a dynamic dashboard.

A more comprehensive list of improvements, fixes, and new features is included in the Release Notes.

If you are interested in experiencing the power and elegance of Sim4Life V3.0 or require further information, please email us at s4l-sales@zmt.swiss or call us at +41 44 245 9765.

The relevant Sim4Life installers for Win7/Win8/8.1/Win10 64-bit platforms can be downloaded. For existing customers with an up-to-date annual maintenance and support plan, all pertinent information regarding the Software Installer Download and updated licenses will, of course, be individually provided.

At ZMT we are proud to provide our customers with the most innovative software solutions, testing equipment, and support.

The Sim4Life Team
s4l-sales@zmt.swiss

Effective posturing capabilities using the new biomechanical FEM Poser engine in Sim4Life applied to the ViP "Fats" Computable Phantom.

Multiscale modeling in V3.0: investigating transcranial electrical brain stimulation, coupling EQS field modeling with simulation of a large number of detailed electrophysiological neuron models (L5 pyramidal neurons) to predict and improve activation and targetting.

Efficient modeling of safety/exposure related aspects of WPT in V3.0: electrical vehicle charging including two postured ViP Computable Phantoms.

Enormous simulation resource savings via the novel Connected Subgridding approach (Acceleware): adaptively enclosing subgrids allow the simulation of a detailed pacemaker lead with time/memory savings of orders of magnitude.

New MUSAIK-S (Preview): completely redesigned GUI, smoothly integrating with V3.0, with enhanced features, e.g., drag&drop of results from V3.0, explorer approach, dynamic dashboard.