title: A structural constitutive model for the human lens capsule.
abstract: Published data on the mechanical performance of the human lens capsule when tested under uniaxial and biaxial conditions are reviewed. It is concluded that two simple phenomenological constitutive models (namely a linear elastic model and a Fung-type hyperelastic model) are unable to provide satisfactory representations of the mechanical behaviour of the capsule for both of these loading conditions. The possibility of resolving these difficulties using a structural constitutive model for the capsule, of a form that is inspired by the network of collagen IV filaments that exist within the lens capsule, is explored. The model is implemented within a rectangular periodic cell. Prescribed stretches are imposed on the periodic cell and the network is allowed to deform in a non-affine manner. The performance of the constitutive model correlates well with previously published test data. One possible application of the model is in the development of a multi-scale analysis of the mechanics of the human lens capsule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, Oxford University, Oxford, OX1 3PJ, UK. harvey.burd@eng.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Harvey John
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Burd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D011312:Pressure
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen