Other Medical Applications of Laser Scanning

In an earlier post, I talked about the different types of laser scanners used in medical studies. This week, I looked into the multitude of ways laser scanners are being used to advance medical care.

Laser scanning has become an increasingly popular diagnostic tool. This is because it allows for noninvasive imaging of what is occurring in the body. 

One example is using laser-doppler vibrometery in the human ear. A laser-doppler vibrometer measures the vibration of a surface without contact. It can track the movement of the tympanic membrane of the ear in order to make sure that a person's hearing is fine, after an implant for example. An article about this can be found here. 

Other scientists have used a laser scanner with a camera and inserted it into blood vessels. This technique allows them to assess any cardiovascular risks such as strokes and heart attacks caused by plaque build-up in the veins or arteries. The design of the laser scanner is shown in the model below and the details of the experiment can be found here.

There are also specific laser scanners made solely for the purpose of fitting prosthetics. These can be used to design prosthetic and orthotic devices without putting a patient through the process of a plaster fitting, leading to increased convenience and comfort.