Modeling the biomechanics of the human iris using an active strain approach

Anna Pandolfi (Politecnico di Milano)

Thursday 13th November 14:00-15:00
Maths 311B

Abstract

The iris regulates the amount of light entering the central pupil to optimize the sharpness of the image formed on the retina. This regulation is governed by the antagonistic action of two smooth muscles: the sphincter pupillae and the dilator pupillae. We model the mechanics of light regulation using an active strain approach. Specifically, we propose a simplified representation of the iris as a fiber-reinforced soft material, whose constitutive behavior is described by an isotropic nonlinear elastic model for the homogenized matrix and an exponential model for the active muscle fibers. The computational framework employs a finite element approximation, with numerical simulations performed using an explicit in-house code developed ad hoc for this study. The model is designed to advance the understanding of iris biomechanics, the interaction between the antagonistic muscles, and the role of the iris in visual regulation, with potential applications in ophthalmology and the design of bio-inspired optical systems.

The study is done in collaboration with Kevin Lucon, Michele Bucelli and Luca Dede'.

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