Thursday, July 20, 2006

Hi-tech boost for plastic surgery

A high-tech face scanner which predicts the effectiveness of plastic surgery has been developed in East Sussex.

The equipment at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead uses 3D imaging to provide accurate measurements of skin contours.
Researchers developed the system by evaluating the laxity and contours of the skin of mothers and daughters.
Charles Nduka, consultant plastic surgeon, said the technology could also be used to treat facial paralysis.
The system, developed in conjunction with Imperial College London, uses six cameras to create images made up of millions of data points.
Mr Nduka said: "Unfortunately before the development of this system there was no way to accurately measure the effectiveness of different treatments or to compare how long the treatments last.
"Many newer techniques have been widely adopted without meaningful evaluation."
It is thought the technology could also be used to guide breast and body contour surgery.