Evaluation of chest wall distortion related to cardiac activity by structured lights. A study of the apical impulse by the Moiré technique.

The use of structured lights and especially of the Moiré technique to evaluate chest wall distortion in front of the apical impulse allows a topographic study of the precordial movement in relation with cardiac activity. Shade Moiré technology offers the possibility to study a reduced area of the chest with a good enlargement effect and well contrasted fringes. Projected Moiré allows the study of an increased area of the chest (40 cm2) and provides less contrasted pictures with a reduced enlargement effect. Both techniques offer the possibility of automatic imaging. The study of a normal subject is realized with a topographic evaluation of the chest wall distortion on a endsystolic frame. 3D representation of the chest wall deformation is performed after image treatment on a endsystolic print.