An image processing system for mapping microvascular networks

A digital image processing system has been developed for obtaining a mapping of images of microvascular networks for the study of human microangiopathy or for experimental research. In a few minutes, the system computes morphometric data of the network such as vascular density, diameter, length and tortuosity of the vessels, angles between vessels and number of bifurcations and intersections. The system, based on a video grabbing board placed in a PC 386 microcomputer, can be used automatically or interactively. Several kinds of images can be processed, such as images of conjonctival and retinal angioscopy, or images of microvascular networks of animal preparations, like the hamster skin fold preparation.