Advanced 3D body scanning techniques and its clinical applications

Abstract

3D laser scanners are creating a shift in measuring the size and shape of the human body to evaluate the patient's helath.3D scanners are extensively used to precisely assess the person's body size, shape, and skin texture. This paper represents the current scenario of widely implemented laser scanning techniques for clinical applications. The paper briefly describes the most suitable 3D body surface scanning methods, mainly (i) laser triangulation, (ii) structured light scanning, (iii) time of flight and (iv) photogrammetry. The review also discusses the use of digital scanners in clinical applications, including diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, preclinical testing, and epidemiology. This technical review has two main goals: (i) medical professionals can determine the most appropriate scanning technique depending on the requirements. (ii) Recognizing prevalent research gaps for the people working in same area.