Biomechanical Analysis of Orbital Development: A Finite Element Analysis by an Experimentally Validated Model

Constructing orbital finite element models capable of simulating the development process and analyzing the biomechanical mechanism.

Four normal orbits from 1-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Toshiba Aquilion Prime was used to determine the computed tomography scan and direct orbital pressure manometry using an improved manometer based on the TSD104 pressure sensor transducer. The finite element analysis was conducted using the ANSYS Workbench platform.

The biomechanics of each orbital wall improved to varying degrees as the rabbit orbit grew and developed. The von Mises stress in both rabbits initially concentrated at the lower edge of the posterior orbital wall, expanded to the entire orbit, and ultimately became more significant in the biomechanics of the region that consisted of the posterior orbital and superior orbital walls. During the expansion phase, the biomechanics of both rabbits gradually developed from the nasal side to the occipital side for radial displacement. It is evident that the finite element model is a good fit for simulating the physiological development of the rabbit orbit. The maximum radial displacement and maximum von Mises stress appeared 2 intermissions during the development of the orbit, at about 50 to 60 days and 80 to 90 days.

This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the creation of a biomechanical model of human orbital development by offering the first finite element model to simulate orbital development and analyze the biomechanical mechanism of orbital pressure on orbital development.