Laser 3-D scanning for surface rendering in biomedical research and education

A technique based on laser scanning is applied to body parts and organs. Laser light is projected onto the surface of objects and recorded by CCD sensors. This is a fast and flexible method for accurately scanning surface geometry. It also allows conversion to NURBS patches. We have, so far, made 'point-cloud' surface renderings from a head model, a plastic brain model, a human brain, moulds of bites and a cranium. The limits, quality, efforts and costs of employing the laser 3-D scanning technique are evaluated. The experiments are currently in progress and results give interesting 3D renderings and attempts to triangulated solid-models.