Vasculature Segmentation in MRA Images Using Gradient Compensated Geodesic Active Contours

Precise segmentation of vasculature from three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) images is playing an important role in image-guided neurosurgery, pre-operation planning and clinical analysis. Active Contour based evolution algorithms are being widely applied to MRA data sets, however existing approaches exhibit some difficulties in extracting tiny parts of the vessels. Our objective is to develop an automated segmentation scheme to accurately extract vasculature of the brain, especially tiny vessels. Inspired by the intrinsic properties of MRA, we have proposed a scheme called the gradient compensated geodesic active contours (GCGAC), which compensates for low gradients near edges of thin vessels. The GCGAC, which is implemented based on level set, has been tested on both synthetic volumetric image and real 3D MRA images. Our experiments show that the introduced gradient compensation can facilitate more accurate segmentation of tiny blood vessels.     

A novel iris segmentation using radial-suppression edge detection

Iris segmentation is a key step in the iris recognition system. The conventional methods of iris segmentation are based on the assumption that the inner and outer boundaries of an iris can be taken as circles. The region of the iris is segmented by detecting the circular inner and outer boundaries. However, we investigate the iris boundaries in the CASIA-IrisV3 database, and find that the actual iris boundaries are not always circular. In order to solve this problem, a new approach for iris segmentation based on radial-suppression edge detection is proposed in this paper. In the radial-suppression edge detection, a non-separable wavelet transform is used to extract the wavelet transform modulus of the iris image. Then, a new method of radial non-maxima suppression is proposed to retain the annular edges and simultaneously remove the radial edges. Next, a thresholding operation is utilized to remove the isolated edges and produce the final binary edge map. Based on the binary edge map, a self-adaptive method of iris boundary detection is proposed to produce final iris boundaries. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed iris segmentation is desirable.     

Boundary detection in medical images using edge following algorithm based on intensity gradient and texture gradient features

Finding the correct boundary in noisy images is still a difficult task. This paper introduces a new edge following technique for boundary detection in noisy images. Utilization of the proposed technique is exhibited via its application to various types of medical images. Our proposed technique can detect the boundaries of objects in noisy images using the information from the intensity gradient via the vector image model and the texture gradient via the edge map. The performance and robustness of the technique have been tested to segment objects in synthetic noisy images and medical images including prostates in ultrasound images, left ventricles in cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) images, aortas in cardiovascular MR images, and knee joints in computerized tomography images. We compare the proposed segmentation technique with the active contour models (ACM), geodesic active contour models, active contours without edges, gradient vector flow snake models, and ACMs based on vector field convolution, by using the skilled doctors' opinions as the ground truths. The results show that our technique performs very well and yields better performance than the classical contour models. The proposed method is robust and applicable on various kinds of noisy images without prior knowledge of noise properties.     

一种新的用于医学图像分割的几何活动轮廊模型

提出一种新的几何活动轮廊模型对医学图像进行分割．首先，我们对几何活动轮廊模型中吸引力场进行正则化，扩大目标轮廊边缘对的轮廊曲线的吸引力范围，增加轮廊曲线搜寻凹轮廊的能力．然后，采用多尺度模型增加对边缘提取的精确度．将正则化方法与多尺度方法相结合，能够很好的抑制医学图像中的噪声和虚假边缘的干扰，这一方法能够在不采用任何附加拓扑控制的情况下自动控制轮廊曲线的拓扑结构变化，同时提取多个解剖结构，对来自不同成像技术的医学图像的分割，结果表明该方法是一种有效的医学图像分割方法。     

An edge fusion scheme for image denoising based on anisotropic diffusion models

In this paper, we propose an enhanced anisotropic diffusion model. The improved model can classify finely image information as smooth regions, edges, corners and isolated noises by characteristic parameters and gradient variance parameter. And for different image information the eigenvalues of diffusion tensor are designed to conduct adaptive diffusion. Moreover, an edge fusion scheme is posed to preserve edges after denoising by combing different denoising and edge detection methods. Firstly, different denoising methods are applied for noisy image to obtain denoised images, and the best method among them is selected as main method. Then edge images of denoised images are obtained by edge detection methods. Finally, by fusing edge images together more integrated edges can be achieved to replace edges of denoised image obtained by main method. The experimental results show the proposed model can denoise meanwhile preserve edges and corners, and the edge fusion scheme is accurate and effective.     

Convolution-Based Edge Detection for Image/Video in Block DCT Domain

This paper presents a scheme for performing convolution operation directly on compressed images without decompressing them first. The use of such a scheme is demonstrated and discussed by showing the implementation of the Laplacian-of-Gaussian operator for edge detection. We present a complete evaluation of the different parameters involved in this process and show edge detection results on several real images through our proposed scheme. In each case, it is shown that the proposed scheme of directly performing convolution on the compressed data leads to not only a significant computation speedup but also yields better edges.     

Integrated method for boundary delineation of agricultural fieldsin multispectral satellite images

Most agricultural statistics are calculated per field, and it is well known that classification procedures for homogeneous objects produce better results than per-pixel classification. In this study, a multispectral segmentation method for automated delineation of agricultural field boundaries in remotely sensed images is presented. Edge information from a gradient edge detector is integrated with a segmentation algorithm. The multispectral edge detector uses all available multispectral information by adding the magnitudes and directions of edges derived from edge detection in single bands. The addition is weighted by edge direction, to remove "noise" and to enhance the major direction. The resulting edge from the edge detection algorithm is combined with a segmentation method based on a simple ISODATA algorithm, where the initial centroids are decided by the distances to the edges from the edge detection step. From this procedure, the number of regions will most likely exceed the actual number of fields in the image and merging of regions is performed. By calculating the mean and covariance matrix for pixels of neighboring regions, regions with a high generalized likelihood-ratio test quantity will be merged. In this way, information from several spectral bands (and/or different dates) can be used for delineating field borders with different characteristics. The introduction of the ISODATA classifier compared with a previously used region growing procedure improves the output. Some results are compared with manually extracted field boundaries     

An optimal multiedge detector for SAR image segmentation

Edge detection is a fundamental issue in image analysis. Due to the presence of speckle, which can be modeled as a strong, multiplicative noise, edge detection in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is extremely difficult, and edge detectors developed for optical images are inefficient. Several robust operators have been developed for the detection of isolated step edges in speckled images. The authors propose a new step-edge detector for SAR images, which is optimal in the minimum mean square error (MSSE) sense under a stochastic multiedge model. It computes a normalized ratio of exponentially weighted averages (ROEWA) on opposite sides of the central pixel. This is done in the horizontal and vertical direction, and the magnitude of the two components yields an edge strength map. Thresholding of the edge strength map by a modified version of the watershed algorithm and region merging to eliminate false edges complete an efficient segmentation scheme. Experimental results obtained from simulated SAR images as well as ERS-1 data are presented     

基于多阈值归一化分割的模糊图像边缘分割算法

模糊图像边缘的像素特征较为复杂,一般需要采用多个阈值作为分隔约束条件的方法来进行图像边缘分割,但是该方法存在诸如多阈值无法形成统一标准、边缘提取过程需要多次校对,以及效率较低等缺点.提出一种基于多阈值归一化分割的模糊图像边缘分割算法,通过设计超像素网格对模糊图像边缘特征的像素进行匹配,分析模糊图像的反调张量信息,并根据不同张量信息对多阈值进行归一化,以及采用灰度窗口相关系数匹配方法,将获得的多阈值归一化结果分别覆盖图中的单一目标对象,以实现模糊图像的边缘分割.实验表明,利用该算法进行模糊图像边缘分割能较好地获取图像的边缘细节特征,使得边缘具有更好的连线段连通性和宽度一致性.     

Combining static and dynamic features using neural networks and edge fusion for video object extraction

Semantic object representation is an important step for digital multimedia applications such as object-based coding, content-based access and manipulations. The authors propose an image sequence segmentation scheme which provides region information for the semantic object representation of those applications. The objective is to develop a hardware-friendly segmentation algorithm by combining static and dynamic features simultaneously in one scheme. In the initial stage, a multiple feature space is transformed to one-dimensional label space by using self-organising feature map (SOFM) neural networks. The next stage is an edge fusion process in which edge information is incorporated into the neural network outputs to generate more precisely located boundaries of segmentation. The proposed algorithm differs from existing methods as follows: it can segment textured images with low-dimensional features; leads to more meaningful segmentation region boundaries; and is easier to map into hardware than existing methods. Experimental results are compared with an existing segmentation method using evaluation metrics to clarify the advantages of the proposed algorithm objectively.     

基于多尺度轮廓增强的RGB-IR双波段图像语义分割算法北大核心CSCD

语义分割被广泛应用于机器人、医学成像和自动驾驶等领域,但当前语义分割主要针对可见光图像。可见光图像在光照不足或天气差的情况下成像效果较差,而红外图像受光照影响较小。因此,将可见光图像和红外图像联合使用可以有效提升模型的鲁棒性。本文针对可见光/红外(RGB-IR)双波段图像语义分割任务中目标轮廓预测不准确的问题,提出一种基于多尺度轮廓增强的双波段语义分割算法。首先,本文提出一种新的位置和通道注意力模块EEFM,基于该模块可以高效地对多个尺度的融合特征分别进行轮廓预测。其次,本文将多尺度的预测结果用于对轮廓特征进行由高分辨率至低分辨率的逐步增强。最后,本文还提出了一种新的位置和通道注意力模块SAC对融合图像特征进行增强,以最终获得更准确的分割结果。实验在一个公开RGB-IR数据集以及一个自建数据集上进行,本文所提出的模型使用较小的参数量在公开数据库上取得了57.2的分割精度,综合性能达到了最高水平。同时,消融实验也验证了所提出的各模块的有效性。     

Segmentation of intra-retinal layers from optical coherence tomography images using an active contour approach

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, depth-resolved imaging modality that has become a prominent ophthalmic diagnostic technique. We present a semi-automated segmentation algorithm to detect intra-retinal layers in OCT images acquired from rodent models of retinal degeneration. We adapt Chan-Vese's energy-minimizing active contours without edges for the OCT images, which suffer from low contrast and are highly corrupted by noise. A multiphase framework with a circular shape prior is adopted in order to model the boundaries of retinal layers and estimate the shape parameters using least squares. We use a contextual scheme to balance the weight of different terms in the energy functional. The results from various synthetic experiments and segmentation results on OCT images of rats are presented, demonstrating the strength of our method to detect the desired retinal layers with sufficient accuracy even in the presence of intensity inhomogeneity resulting from blood vessels. Our algorithm achieved an average Dice similarity coefficient of 0.84 over all segmented retinal layers, and of 0.94 for the combined nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell layer, and inner plexiform layer which are the critical layers for glaucomatous degeneration.     

2-D mesh-based video object segmentation and tracking with occlusion resolution

This paper integrates fully automatic video object segmentation and tracking including detection and assignment of uncovered regions in a 2-D mesh-based framework. Particular contributions of this work are (i) a novel video object segmentation method that is posed as a constrained maximum contrast path search problem along the edges of a 2-D triangular mesh, and (ii) a 2-D mesh-based uncovered region detection method along the object boundary as well as within the object. At the first frame, an optimal number of feature points are selected as nodes of a 2-D content-based mesh. These points are classified as moving (foreground) and stationary nodes based on multi-frame node motion analysis, yielding a coarse estimate of the foreground object boundary. Color differences across triangles near the coarse boundary are employed for a maximum contrast path search along the edges of the 2-D mesh to refine the boundary of the video object. Next, we propagate the refined boundary to the subsequent frame by using motion vectors of the node points to form the coarse boundary at the next frame. We detect occluded regions by using motion-compensated frame differences and range filtered edge maps. The boundaries of detected uncovered regions are then refined by using the search procedure. These regions are either appended to the foreground object or tracked as new objects. The segmentation procedure is re-initialized when unreliable motion vectors exceed a certain number. The proposed scheme is demonstrated on several video sequences.     

改进边界指示函数的水平集活动轮廓模型

由于受成像原理的限制,导致超声图像对比度低、边界模糊,因此基于边界的水平集分割效果很不理想。为了提高超声图像的分割精度和分割效率,提出了一种梯度信息与区域信息相结合的水平集分割算法。首先对基于边界的距离正则化水平集演化(DRLSE)模型进行改进,将区域信息引入到边界指示函数中,并用改进后的边界指示函数代替DRLSE模型中的边界指示函数,最后,得到一个梯度与区域信息相结合的水平集演化模型。结果表明,本文中的模型能准确分割甲状腺肿瘤超声图像,且在分割效率和分割精确度方面均比DRLSE模型有所提高。     

Detection of edges from projections

In a number of applications of computerized tomography, the ultimate goal is to detect and characterize objects within a cross section. Detection of edges of different contrast regions yields the required information. The problem of detecting edges from projection data is addressed. It is shown that the class of linear edge detection operators used on images can be used for detection of edges directly from projection data. This not only reduces the computational burden but also avoids the difficulties of postprocessing a reconstructed image. This is accomplished by a convolution backprojection operation. For example, with the Marr-Hildreth edge detection operator, the filtering function that is to be used on the projection data is the Radon transform of the Laplacian of the 2-D Gaussian function which is combined with the reconstruction filter. Simulation results showing the efficacy of the proposed method and a comparison with edges detected from the reconstructed image are presented.     

A Nonconservative Flow Field for Robust Variational Image Segmentation

We introduce a robust image segmentation method based on a variational formulation using edge flow vectors. We demonstrate the nonconservative nature of this flow field, a feature that helps in a better segmentation of objects with concavities. A multiscale version of this method is developed and is shown to improve the localization of the object boundaries. We compare and contrast the proposed method with well known state-of-the-art methods. Detailed experimental results are provided on both synthetic and natural images that demonstrate that the proposed approach is quite competitive.      

基于局部图划分的多相活动轮廓图像分割模型

几何活动轮廓模型是图像分割领域的强有力工具。最近,一种基于成对相似性的图划分活动轮廓(GPAC)模型被提出,并有效应用于均质图像分割。但是,该模型的连接权函数仅与图像光谱相关,使得模型在低对比度模糊图像的应用存在较大局限,同时,成对相似性的计算量大,模型的数值实现效率不甚理想。针对这些问题,该文引入测地核函数定义连接权函数,结合多相水平集,提出了基于局部图划分的多相活动轮廓图像分割模型。自然图像的实验结果证明了该模型的有效性。     

CFAR edge detector for polarimetric SAR images

Finding the edges between different regions in an image is one of the fundamental steps of image analysis, and several edge detectors suitable for the special statistics of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) intensity images have previously been developed. In this paper, a new edge detector for polarimetric SAR images is presented using a newly developed test statistic in the complex Wishart distribution to test for equality of covariance matrices. The new edge detector can be applied to a wide range of SAR data from single-channel intensity data to multifrequency and/or multitemporal polarimetric SAR data. By simply changing the parameters characterizing the test statistic according to the applied SAR data, constant false-alarm rate detection is always obtained. An adaptive filtering scheme is presented, and the distributions of the detector are verified using simulated polarimetric SAR images. Using SAR data from the Danish airborne polarimetric SAR, EMISAR, it is demonstrated that superior edge detection results are obtained using polarimetric and/or multifrequency data compared to using only intensity data.     

基于小波变换的SAR图像相干斑噪声消除方法研究

本文提出了一种基于小波变换的合成孔径雷达(SAR)图像相干斑消除滤波器.这种滤波器通过在小波细节子图像中减少小波分解系数的幅度来抑制相干斑噪声,同时利用小波细节子图像中提供的边缘信息来检测边缘和纹理细节,并保留其对应的小波分解系数值.实验结果表明,此方法除了对相干斑噪声有很好的抑制作用外,还保留了尽可能多的目标特性和图像细节,有着良好的图像视觉解译效果.     

基于长边检测的视频分割算法

针对前景和背景交界处颜色相似度较高时的图像分割问题,提出了基于长边检测的视频分割算法,首先建立包括颜色分量和对比度分量的能量函数,然后将基于边缘长度的边缘检测方法应用到基本模型的颜色模型中,利用长边检测的结果改进能量函数的颜色分量和对比度分量,最后使用图割算法,通过对能量函数求最小化得到最终的前景提取结果。实验结果表明,在前景和背景在交界处颜色相似度较高时,较其他算法具有明显的优势。