A fast prediction method for pre-puncture brain deformation based on a mass–spring-damper and potential field model

Rapid prediction of meningeal deformation and puncture force is essential for surgical simulation and planning. This study proposes a reduced-order hybrid model combining a mass-spring-damper framework with a potential field method. The brain is simplified into meningeal, cerebrospinal fluid, and tissue layers to capture compression-induced deformation, interlayer interaction, and tissue resistance. Implemented in MATLAB, the model was validated using Abaqus simulations and brain-like phantom puncture experiments. At 5 mm puncture depth, it accurately predicted deformation and puncture force while running over two orders of magnitude faster than the conventional finite element method, enabling efficient simulation of puncture-induced tissue deformation.