Award for surgical imaging system

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A new imaging programme which could help transform the treatment of facial surgery, burns, and orthodontics has won a top innovation award.

Dr Colin Urquhart, of Glasgow-based Dimensional Imaging, is to receive the Gannochy Trust innovation award of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE).

The DI3D system produces life-like 3D images on a computer from photographs.

It is already being used around the world in the field of facial surgery. He said he was "very honoured".

Dr Urquhart added: "Scotland is an excellent place for Dimensional Imaging to be based as it allows us to access the critical mass of world-leading expertise in imaging processing and computer vision in Scotland's universities.

"This award is a tremendous encouragement to me and my colleagues, whose dedication, team work and constant innovation is invaluable."

Life-like facial models of the patients can be made both before and after surgery, allowing clinicians to simulate what the results of surgery may look like.

The award, run through the Royal Society of Edinburgh, will be collected by Dr Urquhart at a ceremony on Friday night.

The system has already been used in the field of facial surgery

Dr Urquhart has also won a £50,000 prize and a specially commissioned gold medal.

RSE president Lord Wilson of Tillyorn, said: "Dr Urquhart's innovation has the potential to make a real and lasting difference to the lives of a great many people.

"The precision and high definition of this Dimensional Imaging technology offers scope for a large range of uses.

"Our panel of judges, chaired by Lord Cullen, were greatly impressed.

"I am delighted that, as a result of the Gannochy Trust's generous support, we are able to recognise Dr Urquhart's achievement," he said.

The technology also has widespread application in orthodontics, psychology and in the entertainment games and film industry.

Mark Webster, chairman of The Gannochy Trust, said: "I am delighted that we are able to support and encourage the best of our young innovators through this very successful partnership with the RSE."