VirtuCath™

Simulation Software for Deflectable Micro-Catheter Design

VirtuCath™ is a lightweight yet powerful simulation tool for the design and prototyping of deflectable micro-catheters. It is powered by the MuJoCo advanced physics simulation engine from Google DeepMind.

Key Features

• Advanced Mechanics & Insights:
  Simulate complex catheter mechanics and gain deep insights into deflection, curvature, and forces to guide your design.
• Simulate Complex & Composite Catheters:
  Model complex catheter designs, including multiple flexible sections of differing mechanical properties, and single or multi-pullwire controls.
• Intuitive Interface:
  An easy-to-use GUI allows for efficient simulation setup and execution, no deep FEA expertise needed.
• Streamlined Iteration & Cost Savings:
  Rapidly iterate designs virtually to optimize mechanical performance before physical prototyping, saving weeks of delay and thousands in costs for custom extrusions and iterative builds.
• Secure Local Operation:
  VirtuCath™ runs entirely on your local PC and collects no data, guaranteeing the complete confidentiality of your proprietary designs.
• No Special Hardware Required:
  Optimized for smooth operation on standard computer hardware, no specialized high-power GPU required.

How It Works

Design with Ease & Control.

Utilize an intuitive interface to quickly define the catheter's diameter and the length of each distinct section. For each section, define bulk material stiffness properties (EI for bending, GJ for torsion, and EA for axial deformation). Configure the pullwire system with 1, 2, or 4 pullwires, specifying their radial offset, friction properties, and distal anchor location. All design parameters are entered directly into the GUI—no complex scripting is required. Catheter definition files can be saved and loaded, facilitating easy sharing among team members or for later review.

Simulate Instantly.

With the design parameters set, VirtuCath™ automatically constructs a MuJoCo physics model in only seconds. See the virtual catheter come to life and behave dynamically in the interactive 3D viewer.

Interact & Analyze Performance.

Actuate the pullwires using simple GUI controls—multi-pullwire control allows for the simulation of complex, non-planar deformations. Observe the catheter's deflection in near-real time. Live data readouts, including tip angle, individual segment curvatures, and pullwire forces and displacements, provide immediate and actionable feedback on the design’s mechanical characteristics.

Iterate & Optimize Rapidly.

Quickly test different design variations, understand complex mechanical trade-offs, and refine the catheter for optimal steerability and performance. This virtual iteration process allows for de-risking the design and making informed decisions, significantly reducing physical prototyping costs and development time.

Download

The download is not yet available. If you are interested in being a beta tester, or for any other inquiries, please contact us using the form.

Contact

For more information about VirtuCath™, to request a demo, or to discuss your specific simulation requirements, please use the form below or email us directly at [email protected].