Application of optical measurement techniques during various stages of pregnancy

Abstract

Optical measurement techniques have evolved since the mid-2000's due to the advancement in computer processing and digital camera sensors. These techniques allow for the digitization of full three-dimensional (3D) surfaces and provide time-domain surface information data with high details not previously possible with more traditional measurement techniques. A variety of industries are using these technologies with a focus on high accuracy industrial applications including aerospace and automotive. This paper introduces optical measurements techniques used to provide quantifiable data and visual information of a woman's abdomen during various stages of pregnancy. Two non-invasive techniques are used for this study including structured light (SL) scanning and digital image correlation (DIC). An overview of these techniques, the process for data collection, results of the data, and opportunities for future studies are presented in this paper. The structured light scanning was used to capture a 3D surface of the woman's abdomen at four to six week intervals starting at week 15 of maternity and ending six days prior to birth. The results quantify growth during each stage of pregnancy along with full surface data in addition to postnatal results. The DIC data was collected during week 30 when the baby was very active in the womb and external deformations on the woman's abdomen were observed visually. The results from these studies were not intended to be a formal medical study but to provide feasibility of the SL and DIC process during the stages of pregnancy and encourage unique uses of otherwise industrial measurements.