ICBT 2025

Organizers: T.Christian Gasser, Michele Marino, Nele Famaey

Key words: vascular tissue, blood, multiscale, multi field, uncertainty, validation

Computational Mechanics meanwhile plays a prominent role in the analysis and modeling of the human vascular system and its diseases. Simulations of the vascular mechanical system and its interaction with biological processes can advance the understanding of physiological and pathological mechanisms and may open a door to the development of new treatment options and medical devices. Though classical mechanical concepts of course hold, they are challenged by quite a few aspects when applied to problems that incorporate living tissue material and in vivo patient specific geometries. There usually exist a large uncertainty and variation in (highly nonlinear and anisotropic) material properties, a multiscale nature of the materials at hand, a lack of access to samples for experimental testing, a clear definition of a reference frame, difficulties in geometry capturing and the mechano-biochemical interplay, where mass conservation and time-constant material properties are not guaranteed, just to name a few. Therefore, robust and efficient numerical models are needed that appropriately consider the complex interplay between the various fields involved, such as solids, fluids, transport and diffusion, biochemical and electrical processes involved. Additionally, appropriate data capturing, quantification of the uncertainties and modeling error involved, is necessary to build trust and applicability of computational models to real world clinical questions and problems and to drive development of new treatment techniques and diagnostic tools. Contributions that consider

• Multi-disciplinary models integrating biology in biomechanical
descriptions,
• Multiscale constitutive modeling across length-scales,
• Integrated imaging & computation approaches,
• Uncertainty quantification and reduced order models,and
• Development and validation of boundary conditions

are particularly welcome in this minisymposium.

Organizers: Anna Pandolfi, Philippe Buechler

Key words: vascular tissue, blood, multiscale, multi field, uncertainty, validation

The mini-symposium explores the latest advancements in patient-specific models of the eye, with a particular focus on the identification of material properties and the development of innovative computational and theoretical models. The biomechanics of the eye involves complex multiphysics interactions – mechanics, fluidic, optical – that require advanced modeling techniques to accurately capture the interplay between ocular tissues. These models also rely on the precise characterization of the tissue properties. Cornea, lens, vitreous, and retina exhibit heterogeneous age-dependent material properties that are challenging to characterize, especially when considering how the tissues change between patients and with each pathology. Accurate identification of these properties is essential for creating realistic models that can simulate eye behavior in both normal and pathological states.

Accurate tissue characterization is essential for ensuring the fidelity of biomechanical models. Therefore, this mini-symposium will also highlight recent advances in data acquisition techniques, such as high-resolution imaging modalities and biomechanical testing, that are opening new opportunities for capturing tissue-specific mechanical properties. For example, imaging technologies such as optical coherence tomography and magnetic resonance elastography allow for detailed mapping of ocular tissue deformations, allowing to spatially map tissue properties, facilitating the development of more accurate patient-specific models.

By discussing innovations in material property identification and computational modeling, the symposium highlights how combining experimental data with advanced simulation techniques can lead to a more personalized approach in ocular healthcare.

Organizers: Frank Walther, Meike Stiesch

Key words: Stress-shielding, lattice structures, Ti6Al4V, WE43, multiscale, tissue integration

Additive manufacturing, and in particular metal 3D printing using laser powder bed fusion, opens up new possibilities for the production of patient-specific implants with complex internal architectures and optimized mechanical and biological properties.

This symposium will take a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the design, fabrication, and characterization of such implants, bridging the gap between technical innovation and clinical application. A major focus will be on the development of advanced cellular structures and functional surface modifications to improve the mechanical integrity and biological integration of metallic implants. Cellular designs, inspired by nature and optimized by computational methods, aim to reduce stress shielding and adapt implant stiffness to the surrounding bone tissue. These structures are evaluated through extensive mechanical characterization, including tensile, compression, and fatigue loading, to understand the influence of surface features, porosity, and geometry on surface and structure integrity. Surface properties are further tailored using polishing, etching, and multi-layer coatings to modulate cell adhesion and tissue response. Advanced techniques are used to analyze the surface morphology and composition at multiple scales. Parallel in vitro studies evaluate how different surface conditions affect cell behavior, supporting the design of biologically favorable implant surfaces. By integrating experimental data with simulation-based design tools, the digital and physical methods can be combined to create next-generation implants with predictable performance.

We welcome contributions from a wide range of disciplines - including materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, biomedical engineering, and clinical research - to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the entire implant development process, from digital modelling to biological evaluation.

Organizers: Ursula van Rienen, Sascha Spors

The development of intelligent, electrically active implants poses interdisciplinary challenges at the interface of biomedical engineering, computational science, and clinical medicine. This mini-symposium addresses current advances in designing, modelling, and optimising implant systems to deliver targeted electrical stimulation for therapeutic purposes.

We welcome contributions focusing on:
• Multiscale and multiphysics modelling of implant–tissue interactions
• Data-driven and AI-supported approaches to stimulation planning and implant monitoring
• In vitro and in vivo studies of electrostimulation for regenerative therapies
• Physics-informed machine learning in bioelectronic applications
• Simulation and characterisation of bioelectrical properties in hard and soft tissue
• Strategies for personalisation and closed-loop control of stimulation

Emphasis will be placed on integrative methodologies combining simulation, experimental data, and clinical application. The goal is to explore novel paths toward personalised, feedback-controlled implants to treat neurological and musculoskeletal disorders.
This minisymposium addresses scientists working on modelling, sensor integration, implant designing, and translational research to foster exchange across different disciplines.

Organizers: Majid Esmaeilzadeh Moghaddam, Meisam Soleimani

This mini-symposium explores cutting-edge bioelectronic and computational approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of brain tumors. Emphasis is placed on integrative methodologies combining simulation, experimental data, and clinical practice.

We welcome contributions on:

• surgical treatment of brain tumors with the focus on optimizing resection strategies and patient outcomes.
• Application of robotic-assisted techniques in neuro-oncological neurosurgery
• Interdisciplinary topics across various disciplines including surgical techniques, imaging, molecular biology, and computational modeling in neuro-oncological research
• Genomic and Molecular investigation aimed at development of targeted therapies.
• Multiscale mathematical modelling of tumor–brain tissue interactions
• Use of AI-driven and physics-informed methods for therapy planning and monitoring

Contributions addressing surgical neuro-oncology, tumor microenvironment modelling, prediction of neurocognitive outcome, and precision neurosurgery—especially those involving advanced imaging or robotic techniques—are particularly welecome.

The session aims to unite researchers in neuroengineering, computational science, neurosurgery, and oncology to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and drive innovation in precision therapies for brain tumors.

Organizers: Christian Klose, Hans Jürgen Maier

Key words: interface, implant, modeling, validation, degradation

Selection, processing and testing of materials are key aspects in development of implants that typically have to fulfill their function for long-term periods. In many cases, the behavior of an implant is governed by the conditions prevailing at its surface. Despite extensive progress made over the last decades, there are still substantial challenges in this respect. A case in point are high strength materials needed for load-bearing implants that contain alloying elements that are now deemed to be toxic when released into the body during corrosion processes. Similarly, reactions with the surrounding tissue can affect interface-dominated properties such as impedance, which can be critical during long-term use of electrically stimulated cochlear implants.
In some cases, removal of an implant is the only option available. Again, the conditions at the interface of the implant determine whether this is a low risk process for the patient or not. Recent research has demonstrated that both development of tailored polymers and controlled heat input can be used to ease removal of cemented hip and knee implants.
Clearly, advanced modelling approaches are also essential in this field with respect to material development and prediction of the implant’s behavior during its service life. Last but not least this calls for validated data to be able to predict long-term effects not directly accessible in laboratory experiments.
Thus, contributions that address development of materials for implants
• that feature improved mechanical properties
• tailored interface properties
• or use advanced modelling approaches
are particularly welcome in this mini-symposium. The materials addressed can be metals, polymers, ceramics or hybrids.