Space-time segmentation using level set active contours applied to myocardial gated SPECT

IEEE Trans Med Imaging. 2001 Jul;20(7):643-59. doi: 10.1109/42.932748.

Abstract

This paper presents a new variational method for the segmentation of a moving object against a still background, over a sequence of [two-dimensional or three-dimensional (3-D)] image frames. The method is illustrated in application to myocardial gated single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) data, and incorporates a level set framework to handle topological changes while providing closed boundaries. The key innovation is the introduction of a geometrical constraint into the derivation of the Euler-Lagrange equations, such that the segmentation of each individual frame can be interpreted as a closed boundary of an object (an isolevel of a set of hyper-surfaces) while integrating information over the entire sequence. This results in the definition of an evolution velocity normal to the object boundary. Applying this method to 3-D myocardial gated SPECT sequences, the left ventricle endocardial and epicardial limits can be computed in each frame. This space-time segmentation method was tested on simulated and clinical 3-D myocardial gated SPECT sequences and the corresponding ejection fractions were computed.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Gated Blood-Pool Imaging
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional*
  • Mathematics
  • Movement
  • Myocardium
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Stroke Volume
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / methods*