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Simulation Analysis tab

This panel provides a real-time dashboard of key performance indicators from the simulation.

Overall Performance Metrics​

This top section displays key values for the catheter as a whole.

  • X/Y Pullwire Displacement: The commanded displacement value for the pullwires along each primary axis.

  • Tip Angle (Theta): The total integrated bend angle of the catheter tip relative to its base, reported in degrees.

  • Tip Angle (Phi): The azimuthal angle, representing the rotational direction of the bend. A value of 0° indicates a bend purely in the +Y direction, while 90° indicates a bend purely in the +X direction.

  • X/Y Wire Tension: The simulated tension in each individual pullwire.

  • Total Strain Energy: The total potential energy stored in the catheter due to bending and twisting.

  • Tip Position (X,Y,Z): The spatial coordinates of the distal tip of the catheter in the 3D world with the proximal end of the catheter serving as the origin.

  • Tip Quat (W,X,Y,Z): The orientation of the catheter tip expressed as a quaternion.

Per-Section Analysis​

This area provides calculated metrics for each individual flexible section defined in the catheter setup. Rigid sections are excluded from these calculations.

  • Bend Radius: The simulated radius of curvature for each flexible section. A very large number or "--" indicates the section is currently straight. The value will turn red if the bend radius falls below the section's Elastic Instability Radius — below that threshold the linear-elastic model is no longer valid and the section is in a regime where ovalization or matrix yielding governs the actual behaviour.
  • Bending Moment: The internal moment within each section resulting from deflection forces. The value will turn red if the bending moment exceeds the section's Max Moment (Instability) — the moment corresponding to the Elastic Instability Radius.
  • Ovalization (OD & ID Major/Minor Axes): When a catheter section is bent, the cross-section deforms into an oval. Differential stresses — tension on the outer curve, compression on the inner curve — flatten the section perpendicular to the plane of bending. This matters for ID clearance, since the dimensional change can introduce friction on guidewires and delivered devices. VirtuCath™ displays the major and minor axis dimensions of both the OD and the ID for each section.

Ovalization validity indicator​

The ovalization display uses a two-state validity indicator that switches as the section approaches its elastic instability limit:

  • Black numbers while the section's operating curvature is below 70% of its Elastic Instability curvature — the linear-elastic prediction is trustworthy and the values are precise.
  • Orange >X.XX / <Y.YY once the operating curvature crosses the 70% threshold — the linear-elastic model can no longer be trusted to give precise values, so the display freezes at the 70%-threshold deformation and switches to directional bounds. The true major axis is greater than the displayed X.XX and the true minor axis is less than the displayed Y.YY. The display reverts cleanly to black numbers as the user backs off curvature.
  • Catheter Analysis Tab — static stiffness and failure-mode KPIs that complement the runtime metrics shown here.
  • Simulation Control Tab — where simulations are configured and run before the metrics above are populated.
  • 3D Viewer — visual companion for inspecting the deflected catheter shape that produces these metrics.
  • Model Accuracy and Confidence — calculator and dynamic-simulator accuracy characterization, including downloadable verification reports for the underlying physics engine.