QUANTIFICATION OF FACIAL SURFACE CHANGE USING A STRUCTURED LIGHT SCANNER

Three-dimensional surface changes that accompany facial surgical proce dures were measured noninvasively and evaluated quantitatively. An opt ical three-dimensional surface scanner with 360-degree surface coverag e of a subject's head and a subsecond data acquisition was used. The s canner employs six pairs of ''white light'' pattern projectors and dig ital TV cameras. A noncontact optical method to quantify facial surfac e morphology and objectively assess change resulting from reconstructi ve or cosmetic plastic surgery has been developed. This quantification technique was implemented and tested with the three-dimensional range scanner. This technique defines the entire surface of the head and fa ce, as opposed to the conventional manual method of measuring surface points or facial landmarks. The method allows facial volume change ass essment. The method was tested by repeatedly scanning a volunteer who was injected subcutaneously with known volumes of anesthetic solution. The measured and injected volumes were compared and showed little dif ference.