Estimation of the performance of an array-processor oriented system for automatic Pap smear analysis

The rapid progress in computer technology makes possible the automatic analysis of thousands of cells on a slide in the field of automatic uterine cancer cytology. Our approach starts with the high-resolution scanning of visually selected and classified single cells determining the training set for discriminant analysis. On the basis of more than 15 morphologic and textural features measured, correct classification results of 95% are reached. Our aim is to speed up our image processing system by means of an Array-Processor, the model AP 120 B from Floating Point Systems. In this study a realistic time estimation of the scanning, segmentation, feature extraction and classification of about 40,000 cells on a slide is performed.