ASME V&V 40: Assessing Credibility of Computational Modeling through Verification and Validation in Medical Devices

Category: Analysis | Integrated 2026-04-06
CAE visualization for asme vv40 theory - technical simulation diagram
ASME V&V 40: Model Credibility for Medical Devices

ASME V&V 40: Theoretical Foundations

Overview

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Teacher! Today's topic is about ASME V&V 40: Model Credibility for Medical Devices, right? What is it about?


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A framework for evaluating the credibility of computational models for medical devices. It determines validation activities based on model risk.



๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Now I understand what my senior meant when they said, "Make sure you do it properly, especially for medical device computational models."


Governing Equations




$$ \text{Risk} = P(\text{hazard}) \times \text{severity} $$
$$ CQ = f(\text{model\_risk, decision\_consequence}) $$



๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Wait, wait, so model credibility for medical devices... does that mean it can also be used in cases like this?


Discretization Methods

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How do you actually solve these equations on a computer?


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We use spatial discretization by the Finite Element Method (FEM). We assemble the element stiffness matrices and construct the global stiffness equation.


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We perform transformation to the weak form (variational form) and use formulation by the Galerkin method using test functions and shape functions. The choice of element type (low-order elements vs. higher-order elements, full integration vs. reduced integration) directly affects the trade-off between solution accuracy and computational cost.




Matrix Solution Algorithms

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What exactly are matrix solution algorithms?


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We solve the system of equations using direct methods (LU decomposition, Cholesky decomposition) or iterative methods (CG method, GMRES method). For large-scale problems, preconditioned iterative methods are effective.



SolverClassificationMemory UsageApplicable Scale
LU decompositionDirect MethodO(nยฒ)Small to Medium Scale
Cholesky decompositionDirect Method (Symmetric Positive Definite)O(nยฒ)Small to Medium Scale
PCG MethodIterative MethodO(n)Large Scale
GMRES methodIterative MethodO(nยทm)Large Scale / Non-symmetric
AMG PreconditionerPreprocessingO(n)Very Large Scale
๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

So, if you cut corners in the finite element method part, you'll pay for it later. I'll keep that in mind!


Implementation in Commercial Tools

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So, what software can be used to implement ASME V&V 40: Model Credibility for Medical Devices?


Tool NameDeveloper/CurrentMain File Formats
MSC Nastran / NX NastranMSC Nastran (Hexagon), NX Nastran (Siemens Digital Industries Software).bdf, .dat, .f06, .op2, .pch
Abaqus FEA (SIMULIA)Dassault Systรจmes SIMULIA.inp, .odb, .cae, .sta, .msg
Ansys Mechanical (formerly ANSYS Structural)Ansys Inc..cdb, .rst, .db, .ans, .mac
Ansys FluentAnsys Inc..cas, .dat, .msh, .jou
Simcenter STAR-CCM+Siemens Digital Industries Software.sim, .java, .csv
COMSOL MultiphysicsCOMSOL AB.mph
OpenFOAMOpen Source (OpenCFD/ESI, OpenFOAM Foundation)Dictionary files (e.g., blockMeshDict), .foam

Vendor Lineage and Product Integration History

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Are the origins of each software quite dramatic?



MSC Nastran / NX Nastran

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Next is the story about MSC Nastran, right? What's it about?


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Developed in the 1960s as NASA Structural Analysis (NASTRAN). Commercialized by MSC Software, later UGS (now Siemens) derived NX Nastran. MSC was acquired by Hexagon AB in 2017.

Current Affiliation: MSC Nastran (Hexagon), NX Nastran (Siemens Digital Industries Software)



Abaqus FEA (SIMULIA)

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What exactly is Abaqus FEA?


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Developed in 1978 by HKS (Hibbitt, Karlsson & Sorensen). Acquired by Dassault Systรจmes in 2005 and integrated into the SIMULIA brand.

Current Affiliation: Dassault Systรจmes SIMULIA


๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Wait, wait, so structural analysis... does that mean it can also be used in cases like this?



Ansys Mechanical (formerly ANSYS Structural)

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Tell me about "Ansys Mechanical"!


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Developed in 1970 by Swanson Analysis Systems Inc. (SASI). Based on APDL (Ansys Parametric Design Language).

Current Affiliation: Ansys Inc.


๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸŽ“

Wow, the story about structural analysis is super interesting! Tell me more.


File Formats and Interoperability

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