Automated evaluation tools in medicine enabled by a motion-robust optical 3D sensor

In the medical field, the demand for robust evaluation tools is steadily growing; any kind of user dependence or user influence has an adverse effect on the evaluation. To reduce the user influence the evaluation tools should be automated. The measurement principle "Flying Triangulation" (S. Ettl et al., Appl Opt 51, 2012) enables a contactless and motion-robust measurement of complex objects. The sensor can be freely moved around the object while capturing 3D data. The data is aligned and displayed in real time and after a few seconds a dense 3D model of the object is generated. We present representatively two automated evaluation tools in medicine which are based on 3D data acquired with a Flying Triangulation sensor: The first tool automatically detects the positions in 3D space of electrodes on an electroencephalography (EEG) recording cap. A precise knowledge of these positions is needed for neurosurgical planning. The second tool automatically determines asymmetries of facial features of patients having a facial paresis. Based on a reliable determination of such asymmetries, diagnosis and surgical therapy can be optimized to improve patients' health and quality of life.