Orbital stress analysis--Part I: Simulation of orbital deformation following blunt injury by finite element analysis method.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to develop a 3-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of the human orbit, housing the globe, to predict orbital deformation in subjects following a blunt injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A FEM of the human orbit including the eye, fatty tissues, and extraocular muscles was constructed. Simulations were performed with a computer using the finite element software NISA (EMRC, Troy, MI). The orbit was subjected to a blunt injury of a 0.5 kg missile with 30 m/s velocity. The FEM was then used to predict principal and shear stresses/strains at each node position.

RESULTS:

Two types of orbital deformation were predicted during different impact simulations: a) horizontal distortion and b) rotational distortion. Stress values ranged from 112.12 to 262.3 MPa for the maximum principal stress, from -226.8 to -552.1 MPa for the minimum principal stress, and from 111.3 to 343.3 MPa for the maximum shear stress.

CONCLUSION:

This is the first finite element study that demonstrates different and concurrent patterns of orbital deformation in subjects following a blunt injury. FEM is a powerful and invaluable tool to study the multifaceted phenomenon of orbital deformation.

• Authors: Jehad Al-Sukhun, Risto Kontio, Christian Lindqvist
• Journal: Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (J Oral Maxillofac Surg) Vol. 64 Issue 3 Pg. 434-42 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 0278-2391 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16487806 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Biomechanical Phenomena
• Computer Simulation
• Finite Element Analysis
• Humans
• Imaging, Three-Dimensional (methods)
• Models, Anatomic
• Models, Biological
• Orbit (injuries)
• Orbital Fractures (pathology)
• Stress, Mechanical
• Wounds, Nonpenetrating (pathology)