Telecentric stereo 3D imaging with isotropic micrometer resolution bridges macro- and microscale in small Lepidopterans

TL;DR

A new 3D imaging system with micrometer resolution is developed for detailed biological studies of small moths, bridging macro and micro scales.

Contribution

The novel integration of telecentric stereo vision and structured illumination into a user-friendly system for non-invasive biological imaging.

Findings

The system achieves 8.0 μm lateral and 4.46 μm axial resolution in a 11×11×6 mm measurement volume.

It enables isotropic micrometer accuracy in 3D reconstructions of scattering biological objects like small moths.

The method bridges macroscopic and microscopic resolution in biological imaging without requiring expert users.

Abstract

We present a straightforward, application-driven telecentric stereo 3D-measurement system for high-precision measurements, designed for applications ranging from industrial quality control to biological research including scanning of Lepidoptera moths. Utilizing a dual-camera setup with telecentric lenses and structured illumination, our system achieves lateral resolution of 8.0 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\times 6$$\end{document} mm. We address challenges typically encountered when using standard libraries like OpenCV, e.g. in extrinsic parameter estimation using a dedicated calibration method that corrects for a potential model mismatch due to telecentricity. Our approach adapts existing methods, such as telecentric stereo vision and structured illumination, into an optimized, user-friendly system tailored for life science research, enabling detailed 3D-reconstructions of scattering objects, such as small moths, with isotropic micrometer accuracy. This work presents an application-driven approach for biological 3D-metrology by integrating existing technologies (telecentric stereo vision, structured illumination) into a specialized imaging platform suitable for non-invasive morphological studies. Unlike conventional CT or microscopic approaches, our method provides a balance of precision, scalability, and practical usability for non-expert users with the aim to study developmental changes in species under varying environmental conditions, while also methodically bridging the gap between macroscopic and microscopic resolution in biological imaging.

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