Automatic Segmentation and Inpainting of Specular Highlights for Endoscopic Imaging. (13th December 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arnold Arnold, Mirko Mirko; Ghosh Ghosh, Anarta Anarta; Ameling Ameling, Stefan Stefan; Lacey Lacey, Gerard Gerard
• Other Names: Battiato Battiato Sebastiano Sebastiano Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: EURASIP journal on image and video processing. Volume 2010(2010)
• Publication Date: 2010-12-13
• Subjects: Image processing -- Digital techniques -- Periodicals; Digital video -- Periodicals; Traitement d'images; Vidéo numérique; Digital video; Image processing -- Digital techniques; Periodicals; Electronic journal; Electronic journals; 621.367
• DOI: 10.1155/2010/814319
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-5176

Abstract

Abstract : Minimally invasive medical procedures have become increasingly common in today's healthcare practice. Images taken during such procedures largely show tissues of human organs, such as the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract. These surfaces usually have a glossy appearance showing specular highlights. For many visual analysis algorithms, these distinct and bright visual features can become a significant source of error. In this article, we propose two methods to address this problem: (a) a segmentation method based on nonlinear filtering and colour image thresholding and (b) an efficient inpainting method. The inpainting algorithm eliminates the negative effect of specular highlights on other image analysis algorithms and also gives a visually pleasing result. The methods compare favourably to the existing approaches reported for endoscopic imaging. Furthermore, in contrast to the existing approaches, the proposed segmentation method is applicable to the widely used sequential RGB image acquisition systems.