3D Imaging - Polhemus Fast Scan Cobra

The Polhemus laser scanner is at the cutting edge of 3D imaging systems. LOC currently use the software for cranial scanning in the treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly.

It offers a fast, painless and clean alternative to traditional casting methods.

Polhemus is unique in its scanning process as the equipment is hand held and does not rely on your baby lying perfectly still to capture a suitable image. Your baby is able to sit comfortably on your lap while being scanned. With the use of 2 motion tracking devices, the Orthotist rotates the scanner around your baby’s head. It is the fastest and least distressing scanning method available.

The scanner works by emitting a fanned laser light over the baby’s head, which is reconstructed on the computer as a full 3D surface image. The laser is of low intensity that is harmless to the human body. It does not produce any kind of physical sensation.

It is highly accurate to within 0.1mm.

It can also be used to capture any 3D object and therefore has applications in the manufacture of lower limb orthotics such as AFOs or KAFOs.

The software can compare an initial scan with follow-ups. LOC is therefore able to document and quantify exactly where the cranial shape changes are occurring providing objective evidence of the progress of treatment. Conventional casting methods cannot objectively quantify the amount of correction achieved.

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