Holographic 3D visualisation of medical scan images

Following decades of research and development, three-dimensional (3D) holographic visualisation and display technologies are ready to emerge. A 3D image can be described in terms of capturing the light field of a scene, which can be recreated by a surface that emits rays of light as a function of both intensity and direction. This may be realised via integral imaging or holography or a combination of these. Holographic technology relies on lasers to create diffractive interference patterns that enable encoding of amplitude and phase information within an optical medium. This is in the form of transmission or reflection holograms that act as gratings to deflect light. Suitable illumination of these patterns can form a 3D representation of an object in free space. Printed digital reflection holograms with static 3D images are now sufficiently mature for the depiction of volumetric data from computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound scans. The physiology of 3D visual image perception is introduced along with tangible benefits of 3D visualisation. Image processing and computer graphics techniques for medical scans are summarised. Next-generation holographic video displays for dynamic visualisation are on the horizon, which are also being designed for medical imaging modalities. Case studies are also presented in facial forensics and surgical planning.