title: A finite-element analysis model of orbital biomechanics.
abstract: To reach a better understanding of the suspension of the eye in the orbit, an orbital mechanics model based upon finite-element analysis (FEA) has been developed. The FEA model developed contains few prior assumptions or constraints (e.g., the position of the eye in the orbit), allowing modeling of complex three-dimensional tissue interactions; unlike most current models of eye motility. Active eye movements and forced ductions were simulated and showed that the supporting action of the orbital fat plays an important role in the suspension of the eye in the orbit and in stabilization of rectus muscle paths.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Marine Technology, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. mail@schutte.ws
authors.forename: Sander
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schutte
authors.forename: Sven P W
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: van den Bedem
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Keulen
authors.forename: Frans C T
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: van der Helm
authors.forename: Huibert J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Simonsz
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D005133:Eye Movements / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009915:Orbit / Q000502:physiology*; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012399:Rotation