Field programable gate array based architecture for real time image segmentation by region growing algorithm

摘要

A new pipelined architecture for colonoscopic image segmentation based on Otsu thresholding and fuzzy region growing techniques has been proposed in this paper. The computed center of mass and the segmented colon lumen of interest are used to guide the colonoscope to maneuver smoothly in the highly flexible colon with many bends, twists, and pockets. Unlike image segmentation used for colon abnormalities analysis and disease status assessment, automation of colonoscope navigation requires processing speed often unmatchable by software codes running on a general-purpose computer. In this paper, a fuzzy region growing based segmentation process has been implemented on a field programable gate array to facilitate real time computation of the lumen region. The proposed design is control path dominant and occupies less than 100k logic gates. Experimental results show that display rate of 50 frames/s. is achievable for standard colonoscopic images Of size 256x256.