AUTOMATED CURVED HAIR DETECTION AND REMOVAL IN SKIN IMAGES TO SUPPORT AUTOMATED MELANOMA DETECTION

If detected early, skin cancer has a 95-100% successful treatment rate; therefore early detection is crucial and several computer-aided methods have been developed to assist dermatologists. In skin images removing hairs without altering the lesion is important to effectively apply detection algorithms. This thesis focuses on the use of image processing techniques to remove hairs by identifying hair pixels contained within a binary image mask using the Generalized Radon Transform. The Radon Transform was adapted to find quadratic curves characterized by rotational angle and scaling. The method detects curved hairs in the image mask for removal and replacement through pixel interpolation. Implementing this technique in MATLAB gives the ability to perform tests rapidly on both simulated and actual images. The quadratic Radon transform performs well in curve detection; however, the research points out the need for better algorithms to improve hair masking, peak detection, and interpolation replacement.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Sciences

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

EECS - Electrical Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Kretzler, Madison Elizabeth

Contributors dc:contributor

• Buchner, Marc

• Electrical Engineering
• Image Processing Hair Curve Detection Skin Lesion Cancer Radon Transform Quadratic Automated Melanoma

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: some rights reserved. It is licensed for use under a Creative Commons license. Specific terms and permissions are available from this document's record in the OhioLINK ETD Center.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1365125074

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:case1365125074