Automated Mapping Of Residual Tumor Lesions In Histological Studies Using A Flexible Image Processing System

For real-time analysis of light microscopic images by using structural features we have developed a special image processing system. The major components of the system are a parallel multi--microprocessor system, an image buffer, a stepping motor driver module for x-, y-, and z-movement of the microscope, a video processing module and a binary image module. The two latter modules are special hardware to generate structural parameters of the video image in real-time. The parameters are derived from the number and optical density of individual objects within each image line. An object is recognized if its optical density exceeds a predefined threshold and its size falls into a programmable interval. We have applied this system to objectively evaluate histological changes occuring in neoplasias treated preoperatively with chemotherapy. The result is an automated mapping of residual tumor lesions for each specimen. These maps are used to define chemotherapy effects. It should be emphasized that because of its flexibility, the system described can be used more generally to analyse structures of histological images.