Case Study: Goethe University Frankfurt improves patient comfort and uncovers deep-tissue pressure-sore causes with Dassault Systemes' Abaqus FEA

Researchers at Frankfurt University use Abaqus FEA for in-depth study of stress and strain on bodies at rest

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt addressed the costly, growing problem of pressure sores by studying how human tissues interact with support surfaces. Using Dassault Systemes' Abaqus FEA together with MRI and laboratory foam testing, the team set out to quantify stress and strain in skin, fat, muscle, and bone to inform better mattress, cushion and seating designs.

Dassault Systemes' Abaqus FEA was implemented in an inverse modeling and validation workflow—MRI provided undeformed and loaded tissue geometries, lab tests supplied foam material data, and iterative simulation matched force–displacement behavior to derive in‑vivo tissue parameters. The validated Abaqus results revealed highest stress and strain concentrated deep at bone–muscle interfaces (consistent with clinical observations), enabling optimization of foam designs and the development of expanded BOSS models for seats and other products to help reduce bedsore risk.

Goethe University Frankfurt

Gerhard Silber

Professor of Materials Science