A 3D recognition and projection system for meridians and acupoints

OBJECTIVES: As a significant part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupoint positioning heavily depends on the acupuncturist's skills. Due to shortage of accurate acupoint detection system with favorable human-computer interactivity, a recognition and projection system for meridians and acupoints is proposed that is based on three-dimensional (3D) scanning. METHODS: First, a 3D human model is reconstructed from the color and depth information of human body acquired by the photographic device. Then, 3D coordinates of acupuncture points can be calculated according to the positioning method in Acupoint Science, on the basis of which, a virtual 3D model of meridians and collaterals is also built and stored on the computer. Finally, with the camera-projector system calibrated, a two-dimensional (2D) image of acupuncture points and meridians corresponding to current posture is extracted, and projected to the surface of the body by the projector, displaying annotated meridians and acupoints visually. CONCLUSIONS: The system is simple and easy-to-handle, and it achieves the visualization of acupoints and meridians, which makes it suitable for the teaching and practice of meridian theory.