Validation of a low-cost portable 3-dimensional face scanner

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biotechnology
• 3D Scanning Technology

Background:

• Accurate 3D facial imaging is crucial for reconstructive science.
• Existing portable stereophotogrammetry devices offer validation but can be costly.
• Evaluating low-cost alternatives is essential for broader clinical accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the Scanify low-cost portable scanner.
• To compare Scanify's performance against the validated Vectra H1 stereophotogrammetry device.
• To assess Scanify's suitability for imaging facial casts in an in vitro setting.

Main Methods:

• Facial casts were digitized using both Scanify and Vectra H1.
• Anthropometric landmarks were used for precise measurements.
• 3D surface analysis software and computed tomography (CT) scans were employed for validation.

Main Results:

• 91% of Scanify linear measurements were within 1 mm of reference values.
• Mean surface difference between Scanify and Vectra images was under 0.3 mm.
• Depth measurements showed significant differences, and image merging introduced registration errors.

Conclusions:

• Scanify presents a low-cost option for facial imaging with promising accuracy.
• Clinical applications are feasible pending software or hardware revisions to correct imaging errors.
• Further development is recommended to enhance Scanify's reliability, particularly in depth measurements and image registration.