3D body scanning holds significant promise in the realm of medical care, as there is a consistent need for accurate physical data to assist in diagnostics and treatment within clinical settings. Traditional methods like X-rays, CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly utilized to generate internal 3D images of patients. However, 3D body scanning focuses on capturing detailed information about the external structure of the human body. This technology enables the creation of customized medical solutions tailored to individual needs, such as artificial limbs, prosthetics, rehabilitation supports, and orthopedic devices.
iReal 2E: the complete 3D solution for healthcare
When collecting 3D body data, what people care most about is whether the scan is safe, comfortable, non-contact, efficient and accurate. Safety and comfort are two prerequisites for applying 3D scanning to the human body, because no technology that cannot guarantee absolute safety can be applied to the human body. Secondly, the human body has a complicated structure and great elasticity. 3D medical scanning usually requires patients to expose target parts for diagnostic purposes. Additionally, some patients suffer severe trauma. All these factors determine that non-contact measurement is the best way to acquire body data. Last but not least, efficiency and precision are necessary conditions in the provision of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients. High efficiency aims to improve patients’ suffering, while precision refers to consistent scanning results, which realize customized artificial limbs, prostheses and rehabilitation protectors perfectly adapted to the individual characteristics of patients.
The iReal 2E 3D scanner adopts VCSEL infrared structured light which does no harm when people use it. The infrared light source is invisible, so people feel comfortable. There is no need to apply markers when scanning, while the high precision ensures accurate scanning results. The iReal 3D color scanner supports scanning in the dark and scanning in the dark, and automatically removes overlap caused by body movement. The scanned data can be imported into orthopedic design software and 3D printer, perfectly meeting all requirements related to 3D scanning of the human body in clinical practice.
Case 1: Facial repair and reshaping
In just minutes, iReal completes a high-quality scan of details such as eyebrows, fine lines, wrinkles and eyes, with lifelike texture. Subsequently, the relevant data is imported into specialized design software, so that patients can obtain customized prostheses. Taking rhinoplasty as an example, 3D scanning is scheduled before surgery to determine customized prosthetics and generate a 3D implant effect for communication with the patient. Additionally, you can save the case operation plan.
At the end of the operation, the patient’s real data is compared with the operating plan. This digital facial contouring procedure appears both innovative and practical in the clinical field, allowing for a more refined and precise rhinoplasty.
Case 2: Correction of the spine
Spinal deformation is one of the frequent diseases that affect the health of adolescents. An orthosis is the most effective method of conservative treatment for moderate idiopathic scoliosis. Currently, corrective orthoses for scoliosis are mostly made artificially and require a long manufacturing process. Instead, combining an iReal 3D scanner with a 3D printer makes orthotic production more efficient. Furthermore, invisible light scanning could reduce patients’ psychological distress.
The manufacturing of spinal orthosis based on 3D scanning is performed roughly by the following steps: acquiring medical images of patients (X-ray, CT, etc.) → recording 3D patient data → performing analytical planning with medical images and 3D scan data → designing the orthosis via software (pressing, stretching and smoothing) → design model to simulate the fit with X-ray and mathematical models → printing the orthosis using 3D printing → polishing the orthosis and attaching the fasteners.
Case 3 Application of the prosthesis
Prosthetics is a field where the application of 3D scanning is becoming quite mature. The Research Center for 3D Printing and Intelligent Manufacturing has developed a whole series of 3D prosthesis solutions with the iReal 3D scanner: first scan and obtain 3D data of the patient’s stump, then scan all components of the joint prosthesis, assemble the data from the two sets of 3D data; apply FEA software to analyze the static and dynamic stress ranges of the stump and lower limb force line, determine the design scheme, and print the receiving cavity of the prosthesis with a 3D printer. This 3D solution offers more scientific and personalized treatment and rehabilitation plans for healthcare professionals serving patients.
The human body is really complicated. Being able to acquire precise and complete 3D data in a short period of time, 3D scanning excels in facilitating the production of artificial limbs, prosthetics, rehabilitation protection and corrective dental appliances. It accurately adapts and meets the individual needs of patients. Of course, 3D scanning is also being explored in other medical fields, such as disease evaluation, basic research, and clinical teaching. We have every reason to believe that it will make greater contributions to medicine and provide more effective and precise treatment regimens for patients with constant advances in science and technology.
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