SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXTRACTING A CURVE-SKELETON FROM A VOLUMETRIC IMAGE OF A VESSEL
First Claim
1. A method of computing image gradients comprising the steps of:
- identifying a set of voxels;
neglecting all voxels within the set of voxels having a gradient length below a predetermined threshold length; and
comparing remaining voxels to neighboring voxels to identify local maxima along the gradient.
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Abstract
An accurate analysis of the spatial distribution and intravascular pattern of blood flow in any organ must be based on detailed morphometry (diameters, lengths, vessel numbers, branching pattern, branching angles, etc.) of the organ vasculature. Despite the significance of detailed morphometric data, there is relative scarcity of database on vascular anatomy, mainly because the process is extremely labor intensive. Novel methods in the form of a segmentation algorithm for semi-automation of morphometric data extraction are provided. The extraction algorithm is based on a topological analysis of a vector field generated by the normal vectors of the extracted vessel wall. With this approach, special focus is made on achieving the highest accuracy of the measured values, with excellent results when compared to manual measurements of the main trunk of the coronary arteries with microscopy.
79 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of computing image gradients comprising the steps of:
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identifying a set of voxels; neglecting all voxels within the set of voxels having a gradient length below a predetermined threshold length; and comparing remaining voxels to neighboring voxels to identify local maxima along the gradient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for extracting a curve-skeleton from a volumetric image of a vessel, the system comprising:
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a processor; a storage medium operably connected to the processor, the storage medium capable of receiving and storing morphometric data; wherein the processor is operable to; identify a set of voxels; neglect all voxels within the set of voxels having a gradient length below a predetermined threshold length; and compare remaining voxels to neighboring voxels to identify local maxima along the gradient. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A program having a plurality of program steps to be executed on a computer having a processor and a storage medium to extract a curve-skeleton from a volumetric image of a vessel having a local center and a boundary, the program operable to:
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identify a set of voxels; neglect all voxels within the set of voxels having a gradient length below a predetermined threshold length; and compare remaining voxels to neighboring voxels to identify local maxima along the gradient.
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Specification