RadioGraphics, Vol 16, 393-400, Copyright © 1996 by Radiological Society of North America
Lenticular system: full-color, limited-angle, autostereoscopic alternative to holography
FW Zonneveld, AG Huitema, AH Joel, MA Fernandez, PF van Waes and B ter Haar Romeny
Department of Radiology, Imaging Center Utrecht, Utrecht University Hospital, The Netherlands.
The microlenticular system is a method of hard copy imaging that provides
stereoscopic cues without the use of special glasses or viewing devices.
Therefore, it is called an autostereoscopic technique. The microlenticular
system consists of a layer of cylindric lenses combined with a photographic
emulsion that carries three to seven different two-dimensional views of the
same three-dimensional (3D) scene. Since each of the observer's eyes sees a
different view, the resulting image is perceived as being 3D. The
microlenticular system technique can be traced back to 1908 but was
recently revived because of inventions that allow automatic photographic
printing of this type of hard copy. The technique has been applied to
visualization of medical 3D images obtained with the following modalities:
computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, single photon
emission CT, ultrasound, scanning electron microscopy, laser scanning, and
confocal laser microscopy. Use of this technique results in images suitable
for planning complex surgery and for simplifying the communication of
complex geometries in science and education.
