Papanicolaou stained cervical smear analysis using opto-magnetic imaging spectroscopy

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the second most common invasive cancer of the female genital tract. In this study, samples prepared for standard Pap test were used and examined using digital imaging software that analyzes the difference between reflected diffuse white light and reflected polarized light (opto-magnetic imaging spectrosopy) in order to detect normal, dysplastic and cancerous cells. A digital camera customized for taking OMIS pictures of samples and light-mater interaction software for opto-magnetic image analysis guided the diagnostic decision to more refined distinction between normal smear and the one containing either dysplastic or cancerous cells. Since the application of OMIS enables detection of significant differences between standard Pap test categories, this method offers an advantage over classical methods in the area of early detection of suspicious cells. By this method it is possible to obtain the result that is not dependent on the capability, subjectivity, experience and knowledge of the practitioner.

Keywords

• pap smear
• reflected polarized light
• digital imaging
• spectral convolution
• opto-magnetic spectroscopy
• cervical cancer detection