Cross-sectional profiles and volume reconstructions of soft tissues using laser beam measurements.

Precise geometric reconstruction is a valuable tool in the study of soft tissues biomechanics. Optical methods have been developed to determine the tissue cross section without mechanical contact with the specimen. An adaptation of the laser micrometer developed by Lee and Woo [ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 110 (2), pp. 110-114]. is proposed in which the laser-collimated beam rotates around and moves along a fixed specimen to reconstruct its cross sections and volume. Beam motion is computer controlled to accelerate data acquisition and improve beam positioning accuracy. It minimizes time-dependent shape modifications and increases global reconstruction precision. The technique is also competent for the measurement of immersed collagen matrices.