Biomedical Applications of Texture Image Analysis ~Toward the Development of SHG Imaging Based Diagnostic Tools~

Abstract

Abstract. Texture image analysis plays a pivotal role in characterizing object properties. This technique numerically represents the spatial arrangement of the gray levels of digital images, and is used on problems of classifying image data sets. Second harmonic generation, an optical label-free technique based on nonlinear optical effects, is recognizing important for biomedical applications. Researches that integrate these two technologies are increasingly being used not only for advancing basic understanding of biological processes, but also for applications of clinical diagnosis. Here, we highlight recent advances in this combined research area, and describe how this approach is used in tackling medical problems.