Validation of the body scanner as a measuring tool for a rapid quantification of body shape

Background Currently, the body scanner, using laser-triangulation, is one of the most precise measuring tools for the rapid quantification of body shape. The VITUS body scanner is a laser-based system based on a principle called triangulation and the scan produced describes the distance to a surface at each point in the picture. The body scanner has multiple applications such as determining body measurements for tailoring, anthropometric investigations and cosmetic surgery. There are also intensive investigations into the effect of weight gain and thus body shape on health risks. In order to be of value, the body scanner needs to generate precise, accurate and reproducible data. Aims To determine the precision and reproducibility of the VITUS XXL 3D body scanner. Methods The measurements of geometric shapes (cones, columns) and human body parts (mid-thigh) were compared using a measuring tape and the body scanner. Results The precision of the measurements of the circumferences of a truncated cone and a column was within 1 mm of the actual values (0.29%). The reproducibility of the measurements was very good. The standard deviation in the measurement of a truncated cone was only 0.13% of the actual value. Likewise, the standard deviation of the thigh measurement of 12 human subjects was < 1%. Conclusion These results show that the body scanner can accurately, precisely and reproducibly measure the circumference of objects and human body parts.