Microscopic image analysis using mathematical morphology: Application to haematological cytology

The mathematical morphology is a non-linear image processing approach which is based on the application of lattice theory to spatial structures. This technique is proven to be a very powerful tool in microscopic image analysis. In this chapter, we present the architecture of a system of quantitative microscopy which yields an integrated platform for the morphological image analysis, pattern recognition, and visual content-based indexing of peripheral blood smear wide microscopic fields. This image analysis approach, based on tools of mathematical morphology, provides an objective description of blood cells and more specifically the system is designed to assist pathologists to diagnose lymphoproliferative disorders within a telepathology context.