3D full body surface scans as a new technique to monitor body shape

3D laser-based photonic full body scans create a detailed surface image of the human body consisting of up to 300 data points per cm³ within 10-12 seconds. The technique provides automatic information on a number of whole body or body-part circumferences, surfaces and volumes as well as body height and weight in a fast, non-invasive and comfortable way for patients. We are working on the following questions: What can we learn from the 3D point cloud as a whole to predict body composition and thus disease risk? Are there systematic differences compared to manual anthropometry? Which is the best way to compare follow-up scans from an individual over time? The medium-termed goal is to use 3D scans as a valuable asset in running or future panel/cohort studies and to enhance basic knowledge about the technique before smart phones will be able to take 3D full body scans in the near future.

Anthropometrics and Full Body Scan Lab

• PD Dr. Kaspar Staub (PI)
• Prof. Dr. Dr. Frank Rühli
• PD Dr. Dr. Nicole Bender

• Prof. Dr. Jonathan Wells

• Cavegn, Cristine; Rühli, Frank; Bender, Nicole; Staub, Kaspar (2020). Prediction of muscle mass in arms and legs based on 3D laser-based photonic body scans’ standard dimensions in a homogenous sample of young men. Journal Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering: Imaging & Visualization:Epub ahead of print.

• Sager, Roman; Güsewell, Sabine; Rühli, Frank; Bender, Nicole; Staub, Kaspar (2020). Multiple measures derived from 3D photonic body scans improve predictions of fat and muscle mass in young Swiss men. PLoS ONE, 15(6):e0234552.

• Beckmann, Claudia; Aldakak, Lafi; Eppenberger, Patrick; Rühli, Frank; Staub, Kaspar; Bender, Nicole (2019).  Body height and waist circumference of young Swiss men as assessed by 3D laser-based photonic scans and by manual anthropometric measurements. PeerJ, 7:e8095.

• Koepke, Nikola; Zwahlen, Marcel; Wells, Jonathan C; Bender, Nicole; Henneberg, Maciej; Rühli, Frank J; Staub, Kaspar (2017). Comparison of 3D laser-based photonic scans and manual anthropometric measurements of body size and shape in a validation study of 123 young Swiss men. PeerJ, 5:e2980.

• Tages-Anzeiger, 06.05.2018: "Ganz schön vermessen. Zürcher Forscher sammeln mithilfe eines 3-D-Ganzkörperscanners zahlreiche Daten von Testpersonen. Sie wollen so Gesundheitsrisiken vorhersagen können. Ein Selbsttest."

• Seebauer Magdalena, UZH-News, 10.10.2017: "Vom Scheitel bis zur Sohle."

• Mäxi Foundation