Facial 3D Surface Scanner for Facial Plastic Surgery

There is no established non-contact method to quantify surface morphology or edema and objectively assess change resulting from facial reconstructive or cosmetic plastic surgery. We will develop and test a quantification technique based on a three dimensional, non-contact, optical range sensing device, originally developed for commercial portrait sculpture and adapted for medical use. This technique defines the entire surface of the head and face as opposed to the manual method of measuring surface points or facial landmarks. The method allows quantitative volume measurements. The 3D Surface Scanner features 360 degree surface coverage of a subjects's head, and sub-second data acquisition rate that makes it suitable for scanning children as well as adults. This device employs "white light" pattern projectors, but it does not employ harmful ionizing radiation. The cost of a scan with this technology will be substantially less than that of alternative means of collecting 3D data sets, such as by CT or MR scanning. The existing prototype 3D Surface Scanner will be improved in both accuracy and surface quality. We will develop software tools enable its use as a measurement utility in a facial plastic surgery clinical environment.