System and methods using real-time predictive virtual 3D eye finite element modeling for simulation of ocular structure biomechanics
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Publication Number
US-11071450-B2
Publication Date
2021-07-27
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed are systems, devices and methods for performing simulations using a multi-component Finite Element Model (FEM) of ocular structures involved in ocular accommodation.
Core Innovation
The disclosure describes a computer-implemented virtual eye platform for analyzing and simulating accommodation of an eye of a patient using neural networks. The approach determines first, second, and third Finite Element Model (FEM) states of one or more structures of the accommodative mechanism of the eye, associating with ciliary muscle, lens, zonules, sclera, lamina cribrosa, retina, and choroid. In the first model the ciliary muscle represents the eye at rest, in the second model the ciliary muscle represents the eye at unaccommodated state, and in the third model the ciliary muscle represents the eye at accommodated state.
The virtual eye platform simulates biomechanical transitions across the FEM states and includes zonule pre-tensioning in the unaccommodated state. It measures parameters associated with a changed biomechanical state of the eye and related crystalline lens, wherein the parameters consist of scleral stiffness and lens stiffness. It measures elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated state to accommodated state.
The platform simulates elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated state to accommodated state based on the first FEM, second FEM, and third FEM. It then analyzes the measured and the simulated elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated state to accommodated state in real-time using neural networks. A system embodiment further performs determination and simulation at preoperative time and in real-time at intraoperative time, and it measures viscoelastic modulus and stiffness as part of the measured parameters.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are directed to a virtual-eye analyzing and simulation method and a virtual-eye analyzing and simulation system. Across these independent claims, the core inventive features include three FEM states tied to ciliary muscle at rest, unaccommodated with zonule pre-tensioning, and accommodated; measuring scleral and lens stiffness and choroid elasticity and potential energy; and using neural networks to analyze measured and simulated elasticity and choroid potential energy in real-time, including preoperative and intraoperative real-time operation in the system claim.
Three FEM states of accommodative mechanism
Determining a first Finite Element Model (FEM) of one or more structures of the accommodative mechanism of the eye of the patient, wherein the one or more structures associate with ciliary muscle, lens, zonules, sclera, lamina cribrosa, retina, and choroid, wherein the ciliary muscle represents the eye at rest; simulating a second FEM of one or more structures ... wherein the ciliary muscle represents the eye at unaccommodated state, and wherein the ciliary muscle undergoing zonule pre-tensioning; and simulating a third FEM ... wherein the ciliary muscle represents the eye at accommodated state.
Measured scleral and lens stiffness plus choroid elasticity and potential energy
Measuring one or more parameters associated with a changed biomechanical state of the eye of the patient and related crystalline lens, wherein the one or more parameters consist of scleral stiffness and lens stiffness; measuring elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated state to accommodated state.
Neural-network real-time analysis of measured and simulated elasticity and choroid potential energy
Simulating the elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated state to accommodated state based on first FEM, second FEM and third FEM; and analyzing the measured and the simulated elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated state to accommodated state in real-time using neural networks.
Preoperative and intraoperative real-time virtual eye system
Determining, at preoperative time and in real-time at intraoperative time, a first Finite Element Model (FEM) ... wherein the ciliary muscle represents the eye at rest; simulating, at preoperative time and in real-time at intraoperative time, a second FEM ... wherein the ciliary muscle represents the eye at unaccommodated state, and wherein the ciliary muscle undergoing zonule pre-tensioning; and simulating, at preoperative time and in real-time at intraoperative time, a third FEM ... wherein the ciliary muscle representing the eye at accommodated state; and analyzing, at preoperative time and in real-time at intraoperative time, the measured and the simulated elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated to accommodated state using neural networks.
Viscoelastic modulus and stiffness measurement for biomechanical parameters
Measuring, at preoperative time and in real-time at intraoperative time, one or more parameters associated with a changed biomechanical state of the eye of the patient and related crystalline lens, wherein the one or more parameters include at least one of ciliary muscle, lens, zonules, sclera, lamina cribrosa, retina, and choroid viscoelastic modulus and stiffness.
The independent claims define a virtual eye approach that ties accommodation analysis to three FEM representations of eye state using ciliary muscle with zonule pre-tensioning in the unaccommodated state, measures scleral and lens stiffness and choroid elasticity and potential energy during transition, and performs real-time neural-network analysis of measured versus simulated elasticity and choroid potential energy. The system claim further specifies preoperative time determination and intraoperative real-time operation and extends measured parameters to include viscoelastic modulus and stiffness.
Stated Advantages
Real-time analyzing and simulation for accommodation of an eye of a patient using neural networks.
Enabling analysis of measured and simulated elasticity of sclera and potential energy stored in the choroid during transition from unaccommodated state to accommodated state in real-time using neural networks.
Supports preoperative time and real-time at intraoperative time operation.
Documented Applications
Analyzing and simulation for the treatment of accommodation of an eye of a patient using neural networks.
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