A 3D Scanning System for Biomedical Purposes Using the Laser Light-sectioning Method and Elliptical Fourier Descriptors

The use of three-dimensional (3D) scanning systems has recently been gaining popularity in the biomedical field for a variety of applications requiring the external shape features of biological objects. The potential exists to expand the use of 3D models even further, by continuing to develop simpler, more cost effective scanning systems. In this paper, a simple, lost cost, 3D scanning system is presented, which employs the laser light-sectioning technique for data acquisition. Elliptical Fourier Descriptors are used for data smoothing and planar section reconstruction. Results of a proof of concept experiment for the proposed system demonstrate the validity of the chosen approach. Directions for future work are also discussed.