Patent ID: 6381026
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A61B,G01B

Abstract:
A method of measuring the contour of a biological surface without physically contacting the biological surface, the method comprising:defining a reference plane relative to the biological surface, the reference plane being defined by the x axis and y axis of a mechanized x-y positional axis means coupled to an optical distance measuring means; measuring a first distance from the reference plane to the biological surface using the optical distance measuring means; storing a value of the first x axis position and a value of the first y axis position of the optical distance measuring means in the reference plane and the first distance in a register of x axis position, y axis position and distance; moving the optical measuring means a predetermined distance along the x-axis, the y axis or both to a second position; measuring a second distance from the reference plane to the biological surface using the optical distance measuring means; storing a value of the second x axis position and a value of the second y axis position of the optical distance measuring means in the reference plane and the second distance in a register of x axis position, y axis position and distance; subtracting the first distance from the second distance to give a relative height value; and plotting the x axis position, y axis position and relative height value on an orthographic x, y, z coordinate system so as to give the contour of the biological surface.