Simple 3D laser scanner for anatomical parts and image reconstruction from unorganized range data

A simple method for direct acquisition of a cloud of points from an object surface is presented together with a novel surface reconstruction algorithm to obtain an explicit 3D model for the measured object This technique is aimed at relatively accurate as well as simple and reliable 3D reconstruction of anatomical parts for biomedical applications. A prototype 3D scanning system is described and the first measurements (acquisition + reconstruction) of closed surfaces from human organs are reported The prototype proved to be working properly, with adequate surface reconstructions estimated both by visual inspection and by a preliminary accuracy evaluation. Further investigations on the metrological properties of the device are in progress to assess the ultimate resolution and accuracy limits.