Study Coordinated Human Eye Movement and Strabismus using a Novel Artificial Muscle-Driven Robotic Eyes - Yao, Ningshi Uncoordinated eye rotation leads to binocular misalignment, such as strabismus, which affects over 18 million Americans. Strabismus is commonly treated surgically, but with suboptimal outcomes, with success rates reported from 30% - 80%. One cause of unsatisfied strabismus management is insufficient understanding of functions and synergetic control of the eye muscles. Engineering tools from imaging to modeling have been used to advance our understanding of eye neuro-biomechanics in normal and defective conditions. Physical systems that mimic human eyes have unique characteristics to obtain new knowledge on coordinated eye movement and its control. In this project, we propose to develop novel artificial muscle-driven robotic eyes that can realistically mimic binocular eye movement to study the biomechanics of human eyes and better understand the causes of strabismus and other eye movement disorders. The proposed study addresses three main questions to advance the fundamental knowledge gaps in modeling and control of oculomotor system: (1) how to model the highly nonlinear and complicated dynamic system in a simpler way; (2) how to create and control such a physical system with fast response and high precision; (3) how a human controls the oculomotor system, using what objectives. To address these questions, we will: (a) establish the computational model based on geometric algebra to describe the nonlinear dynamics of eye and compute the mystery moving pulley positions. (b) conduct tests on various types of artificial muscles to determine the most suitable material for mimicking eye muscles and optimize the fabrication process of producing artificial muscles that are close to eye muscles' anatomical and biomechanical properties. Robotic eyes actuated by artificial muscles that closely mimic the configuration of human eyes will also be developed. (c) To gain insight of underlying control strategies humans employ to control their eyes, we’ll utilize reinforcement learning with expert knowledge and real human/patient eye movement data to determine the objective functions humans use when controlling eyes. (d) Develop a patient-specific data-driven treatment planner for better strabismus management. This project aligns with NIBIB’s mission by developing an AI-driven, artificial muscle-powered robotic eye system to improve strabismus diagnosis and treatment. It will provide a novel platform for deeper understanding of ocular biomechanics, and enabling personalized, data-driven interventions, ultimately reducing reoperations and enhancing vision outcomes for millions. GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY 07-781-7450 4400 University Drive, MSN 4C6 Fairfax VA USA 22030-4422 VA-11 Yao, Ningshi Yao, Ningshi NINGSHI-YAO GMU PI Sanders, Quentin qsanders GMU Co-Investigator Wei, Qi QIWEI1 GMU Co-Investigator
