title: Creating eye closure in patients with facial nerve paralysis using an implantable solenoid actuator.
abstract: This paper proposes the use of an implantable solenoid actuator to create a more natural eyelid closure over current lid loading therapies in patients with facial nerve paralysis (FNP). The actuator works by moving a magnet when a solenoid is activated. This is used to tension a sling applied to the upper eyelid which closes the eye. The sling design has been described elsewhere and creating eye closure using it requires a force of 627 (± 128) mN over a movement of approximately 6 mm. The actuator described here was able to successfully achieve these parameters and repeatedly perform eyelid closure in a cadaveric rabbit model. Device limitations and future improvements have also been identified and discussed.
authors.forename: Shaheen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hasmat
authors.forename: Nigel H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Lovell
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Eviston
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ekmejian
authors.forename: Gregg J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Suaning
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005143:Eyelids; D005154:Facial Nerve; D005158:Facial Paralysis; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D011817:Rabbits