Biomimetic models of the human eye, and their applications

Abstract

Replicating the functionality of the human eye has been a challenge for more than a century, creating a great wealth of biomimetic and bioinspired devices, and providing ever improving models of the eye for myriad research purposes. As improvements in microelectronics have proceeded, individual components of the eye have been replicated, and models of the optical behaviour of the eye have improved. This review explores both work developed for improving medical components, with an ultimate aim of a fully functioning prosthetic eye, and work looking at improving existing devices through biomimetic means. It is hoped that this holistic approach to the subject will aid in the cross pollination of ideas between the two research foci. The review starts by summarising the reported measurements of optical parameters of various components of the eye. It then charts the development of individual bionic components. Particular focus is put on the development of bionic and biomimetic forms of the two main adaptive components of the eye, namely the lens and the iris, and the challenges faced in modelling the light sensitive retina. Work on each of these components is thoroughly reviewed, including an overview of the principles behind the many different approaches used to mimic the functionality, and discussion of the pros and cons of each approach. This is concluded by an overview of several reported models of the complete or semi-complete eye, including details of the components used and a summary of the models’ functionality. Finally, some consideration is given to the direction of travel of this field of research, and which existing approaches are likely to bring us closer to the long term goal of a fully functional analogue of the eye.

Perspective for soft robotics: the field’s past and future

“…All these systems would need a computer to process sensor information and generate an appropriate response like gripping. Most of the human senses are already represented in bioinspired robots which have for example artificial taste sensors for artificial tongues enabling taste [37][38][39], bionic ears giving hearing [40], artificial retinas for sight [41][42][43] and biomimetic chemical sensors as artificial olfactory receptors to enable smell modality [44][45][46]. However, these sensors systems are not yet fully integrated into soft robotics although large progress has been made through the advancements of soft robotic manufacturing highlighted previously in this perspective review article.…”

Design of a Multimodal Oculometric Sensor Contact Lens

“…The pupil size measurement can be done without the voluntary participation of the subject. The novelty lies in the nature of the iris illumination approach [18], the method of reflected beam detection, and especially in the fact that these operations are embedded in an SCL that communicates wirelessly. In contrast to the previous embodiments [16,17], the light source and the optical sensor are oriented towards the retina, pointing at the iris.…”

Sensing and Biosensing in the World of Autonomous Machines and Intelligent Systems

“…Also, cameras may be used to detect and observe phenomena beyond human capabilities, as in the case of infrared vision (Havens and Sharp, 2016). The challenge of replicating the functionality of the human eye in a single device is, nevertheless, still formidable, especially if prosthetic eyes are desired, since a fully functional analogue of the eye remains a long-term goal (Regal et al, 2021). Research on novel materials for bionic eyes and special cameras focuses essentially on bioinspired and biointegrated electronics to fabricate deformable and self-healable devices that preserve functionality while being deformed (Lee et al, 2021).…”