Microcirculation models

Ocular Lens Microcirculation Model, A Web-Based Bioengineering... 

During this project, a 3D finite element model of the fluid dynamics of the ocular lens was designed and executed on our high performance computer. This sophisticated computer model was then linked to a website, in order to elevate it from a local computer model to a global research and educational tool. The presentation of the 3D fluid microcirculation model of the ocular lens over the internet, combined with its user-friendly graphical user interface, has enabled it as a computer model to be used by students and researchers worldwide. Such exposure to the international lens community makes this model a unique debate point in order to obtain a better understanding of the ocular lens homeostasis and its role in the functionality. 

Using the 3D microcirculation model to predict the effects of various perturbation conditions on the physiological and optical properties of the lens, could lead to better understanding of lens abnormalities such as cataracts and their causes. This model is particularly seen as a capability platform for the other ocular tissues fluid dynamic models to be linked into a single virtual eye platform, which is going to be accessible via the internet. 

Utilizing the above listed programming platforms, the 3D microcirculation model was implemented using common steps of computational models implementation. It started by creating a finite element mesh of the ocular lens, using suitable cuboid elements, on which future computations would be performed [Fig. 1]. 

The developed 3D microcirculation model is based on three programming bases to solve (CMISS), display (CMGUI) and convert the graphical end to web-format (ZINC). [Fig. 2] illustrates the incorporation of the developed microcirculation model in webpage format. 

The microcirculation model is solved on a range of natural and unnatural boundary conditions extracted from the literature [9], listed in the table below [Table 1], Unnatural boundary conditions (e.g. lower temperatures) have been used in this model in order to mimic the perturbation experiments. It should be noted that due to the large size of the graphical presentation files, it was not practical to solve the model for all the perturbation points. For example to mimic the low temperature conditions, the model has been solved at 37,27,17 and 7 degrees and then ZINC has interpolated the calculated fields for all the in-between temperature value points (e.g. 8, 9, etc.). These interpolations are implemented in a linear fashion such as if 10% drop in a certain field s values is caused by a 10% fall in temperature, then 5% decline of the temperature is modeled to lead to 5% decrease of the calculated field values. 

The 3D microcirculation model is available online at (http //sitesdev.bioeng.auckland.ac.nz/evag002 and the readers are encouraged to view and use it. 

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