Detection of Stomach Cancer by TV-Endoscope Colour Enhancement Image Processing

Abstract

Using modern TV-endoscope equipment, we have experimented image processing in several ways. This time, we designed new image processing unit called “Color Subtracted Enhancement image processing unit”. This unit　was made by combining the RGB-Subtraction　image processing device with the color enhancement image processing device. The　RGB-subtraction device is an analogue unit that　enables us to remove the visible red, green and blue peaks from the image. We can subtract the images R-G, R-B, G-R, B-R, B-G simply by changing the switches. The color enhancement device (developed by Olympus optical corporation inc.) is a digital processing unit that lets us reinforce any of these colors. This unit let us enhance any of RGB colors on the image which is processed by RGB-subtraction device. 
 Using this unit, we tried to clarify the border between normal and diseased mucosa. We detected invasion of the lesion and compared　the original image with the processed images. Moreover, we marked the border visualized by this unit and compared the marking point with histological border .
Result: Based on the R-G image (i.e. that was produced by subtracting green from red) and the R-B image, the processed images are more clearly than those based on the B-G image. The G-B image, the B-R image and the G-R image. The color subtracted enhancement image ocessing enabled us to detect the border between normal and diseased mucosa and showed us the concavity and convexity of early cancer and gastric ulcers.
Conclusions: Elevations, depressions and color changes of gastric mucosa were clearly 
visible by using the TV-endoscope color subtracted enhancement image processing unit. This technique will facilitate the treatment of gastric lesions with endoscopic surgery.

&#xa