Cancer Diagnostics Using Optical Correlator Technology

The recent development of ratation and translation invariant Synthetic Discriminant Filters (SDFs)the image processing ability of optical correlators. Distinguishing features are detectable and recoobject regardless of image orientation or magnification. Extension to medical imagery is a natural aincrease diagnostic capabilities of a wide range of medical instruments. Numerous advantages can accincreased sensitivity in feature detection, enormous processing speed, automated image comparisons adatabases, and multidimensional image analysis in which detection of multiple features provide greatdetection of disease. This project begins the medical exploitation of the technology. Increased proceventually benefit many medical instruments. This initial investigation is limited to a feasibilityof cervical smears. Features amenable to SDF development will be identified. Example SDF filters wildemonstrating the capability to distinguish among normal, atypical (inflamed) and dyskaryotic squamodata is used, and after screening, images will be used to demonstrate automatic recognition of disticell types relevant to automated cervical screening.