Method and apparatus for semi-automatic segmentation technique for low contrast tubular objects

摘要

A system (100) and method (200) for segmenting and editing anatomical objects from medical images are disclosed. The system (100) may be a medical diagnostic imaging system. A computer unit (110) may execute computer software for segmentation of anatomical objects from medical images. The computer software can extract an anatomical object from planar curves. The computer software can extract an anatomical object by calculating the centerline of the anatomical object. A set of reformatted images may be derived based on the centerline of the object. An operator may then provide an input in the form of operator-drawn outlines on a variety of reformatted images. In one embodiment, the reformatted images may include a reformatted longitudinal view, a curved reformatted view, or a lumen view. The operator-drawn contours may correspond to the boundaries of the anatomical object that is to be segmented. The anatomical object can then be segmented based on the contours drawn by the user.