NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Segmentation and tracking in echocardiographic sequences: active contours guided by optical flow estimatesThis paper presents a method for segmentation and tracking of cardiac structures in ultrasound image sequences. The developed algorithm is based on the active contour framework. This approach requires initial placement of the contour close to the desired position in the image, usually an object outline. Best contour shape and position are then calculated, assuming that at this configuration a global energy function, associated with a contour, attains its minimum. Active contours can be used for tracking by selecting a solution from a previous frame as an initial position in a present frame. Such an approach, however, fails for large displacements of the object of interest. This paper presents a technique that incorporates the information on pixel velocities (optical flow) into the estimate of initial contour to enable tracking of fast-moving objects. The algorithm was tested on several ultrasound image sequences, each covering one complete cardiac cycle. The contour successfully tracked boundaries of mitral valve leaflets, aortic root and endocardial borders of the left ventricle. The algorithm-generated outlines were compared against manual tracings by expert physicians. The automated method resulted in contours that were within the boundaries of intraobserver variability.
Document ID
20040172610
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Mikic, I.
(University of California San Diego 92122, United States)
Krucinski, S.
Thomas, J. D.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: IEEE transactions on medical imaging
Volume: 17
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0278-0062
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Non-NASA Center
NASA Discipline Cardiopulmonary

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available