Virtual holographic recognition and its applications in medicine and other fields

Abstract

Novel digital applications developed from analog holographic recognition techniques are presented. Virtual Holographic Recognition (VHR) substitutes physical processes in matched filtering by digital equations and calculates light distribution on the observation plane. If a certain image is defined as a reference, bright light spots corresponding to coincidences between the searched element and the image under study can be numerically calculated with a high degree of accuracy. Since peak values and radial symmetry of values define the degree of coincidence with the reference, this method can be used to find elements similar-up to any degree- to a given reference in a complex image. Current applications include detection and location of malignant masses and nodules in mammograms, computed-tomography (CT) chest scans and conventional digitized radiographs. If the image taken by a digital video camera is continuously processed and the position of the peak corresponding to a reference is tracked on a screen, it allows for guiding of persons in complex environments. Application to guiding of disabled in sport courts is also described.