Cardiff Scientists and 3dMD Enter a New Dimension in 3D/4D Facial Imaging.

Anaheim, California (23-July-13): A team of Cardiff University clinicians and computer scientists can, for the first time, carry out facial movement research and transform the way patients needing facial surgery are assessed and monitored thanks to a new state-of-the-art 3D surface motion imaging system from 3dMD (3dMD exhibiting at #SIGGRAPH2013 Booth 226).
Working alongside the team of Cardiff University academics, 3dMD, a leading company in the field, has developed the first commercial system capable of recording moving human images in 3D.
“Research into facial movement has important applications in patients whose facial movement is affected by conditions such as a cleft lip, neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or someone who has experienced a stroke,” according to Consultant Orthodontist, Dr Hashmat Popat.
“Videos have generally been the preferred method for recording facial movements – unfortunately, they are only-two dimensional so when analysing how the face moves, important data is lost,” he adds.
In 2005 the Cardiff Team commissioned the first commercial 3dMD scanner capable of recording moving human images – like a video camera, but in 3D. Having had an important influence in the continued development, Cardiff purchased two new 2013 generation high-speed, high-precision 3dMDdynamic systems.
“Even today, videos are the most widely used method for recording facial movements, however a 2D video is unable to support true measurements of 3D shape and how this changes with facial expressions,” according to Professor David Marshall from Cardiff University’s Computer Science & Informatics.
“When 3dMD’s technology first became available our team was determined to move from 2D to 3D video to measure with precision the dynamic aspects of facial soft tissue movement and expression.”
“Research into more general 3D dynamic facial expression analysis and their application to biometric identification, expression recognition, like a smile and computer graphics and animation has also been productive, including joint work with Psychologists.
“Furthermore due to the unique position of having two such 3dMD systems available we have been pioneering work in Conversational Expressions where we have recorded and are analysing the 3D facial dynamics of two people engaged in a conversation,” he adds.
Working closely with 3dMD Professor Stephen Richmond and Dr Hashmat Popat from Cardiff University’s School of Dentistry and Professor David Marshall and Professor Paul Rosin from the School of Computer Science & Informatics have pioneered the use of 3D video analysis.
“As 3dMD continued to progress its next-generation technology there was no question that we would work closely with the team who has had the most published research experience to date in the field of dynamic 3D applications,” according to 3dMD’s Co-Founder and EVP Kelly Duncan.
“The team at Cardiff University has pushed 3dMD to make many breakthroughs such as our 60fps 3D capture frame rate and more recently enhanced non-intrusive lighting and texture capability opening up the possibility of a very dense optical tracking capability to understand and quantify the subtleties of soft tissue deformation during facial movement in babies, children, and adult subjects.”
“Our team is excited to use this latest technology from 3dMD to push the envelope in patient care,” adds Professor Stephen Richmond.
“Not only will we be able to objectively assess a patient’s functional outcome and how others in the community react to the outcome, our team will be able to start advancing computerized simulation models to replicate facial expression and functional behaviour for those patients undergoing treatment.”
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Cardiff University
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain’s leading teaching and research universities and is a member of the Russell Group of the UK’s most research intensive universities. Among its academic staff are two Nobel Laureates, including the winner of the 2007 Nobel Prize for Medicine, University Chancellor Professor Sir Martin Evans. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, today the University combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. The University’s breadth of expertise encompasses: the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences; and the College of Physical Sciences, along with a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning. Cardiff’s three flagship Research Institutes are offering radical new approaches to neurosciences and mental health, cancer stem cells and sustainable places. www.cardiff.ac.uk
3dMD
With a proven customer track record in leading teaching institutions, research institutes, hospitals, and government agencies worldwide, 3dMD manufactures and markets non-invasive, high-precision 3D surface imaging systems and sophisticated simulation software with an inter-disciplinary patient treatment approach. 3dMD’s ultra-fast (1.5 milliseconds) technique for capturing living, breathing human subjects delivers the degree of anatomical precision required for medical, dental, biometrics, ergonomic, human factor, and research application. www.3dMD.com
Notes:
For further information, media interview or a demonstration of the 3dMD scanner, please contact:
Chris Jones
Public Relations
Cardiff University
Tel: 029 20 874731
E-mail: jonesc83@cardiff.ac.uk
Sarah Huckson
Marketing & Communications Officer
Cardiff School of Computer Science & Informatics
Tel: 029 2087 9343
E-mail: HucksonS@cardiff.ac.uk
Kelly Duncan
3dMD
E-mail: kduncan@3dMD.com