Patent ID: 6947040
Filing Date: 2005-09-20
Classification: G06T

Abstract:
1. A method for segmenting structures from two-dimensional (2D) images, the method comprising the steps of: receiving 2D image data; visualizing the 2D image data on a display device; selecting a structure in the 2D image data by placing a seed in the structure; initializing a plurality of rays from the seed to form a curve; determining a speed function of each of the plurality of rays; evolving the curve by propagating the plurality of rays based on the speed function of each of the plurality of rays by performing a mean-shift analysis on each of the plurality of rays to identify image discontinuities, the image discontinuities defining the structure's boundary, wherein the performing a mean-shift analysis comprises converging the plurality of rays on a boundary of the structure; and segmenting the structure when all of the plurality of rays have converged on the structure's boundary.