Planning laser surgery for the brain takes into account a large number of variables, such as blood flow, optical properties, material properties, and thermal conductivity inside the body. Because these variables differ from person to person, there is always a level of uncertainty. "What makes these complex variables more predictable for a surgical operation is solid data," Fuentes said. "The more data and images that can be acquired, the more confidence researchers and surgeons can have in planning surgical simulations."

In late 2012, Fuentes' team used TACC's Ranger supercomputer to solve incredibly sophisticated and complex calculations. These calculations focused on particular treatment areas throughout the brain to achieve probabilistic simulations in bioheat transfer, which shows how heat moves throughout the brain due to the treatment laser. The researchers conducted many uncertainty quantification calculations, which allowed them to become very familiar, and confident, with their bioheat transfer model. Results of these breakthrough simulations were reported in the International Journal of Hypothermia in June 2013.  

To read further, please visit http://www.tacc.utexas.edu/news/feature-stories/2013/surgical-simulations-you-can-bet-on