This paper presents a secure spread-spectrum watermarking algorithm for digital images in discrete wavelet transform (DWT) domain. The algorithm is applied for embedding watermarks like patient identification /source identification or doctors signature in binary image format into host digital radiological image for potential telemedicine applications. Performance of the algorithm is analysed by varying the gain factor, subband decomposition levels, size of watermark, wavelet filters and medical image modalities. Simulation results show that the proposed method achieves higher security and robustness against various attacks.
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MedPixTM Medical Image Database available at http:// rad.usuhs.mil/medpix/medpix.html