System and method for image segmentation

A system comprising:

• at least one processor, and
• executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to effectuate a method comprising:
• acquiring a three-dimensional image data set representative of a region including at least one airway, the data set comprising a plurality of voxels;
• identifying a first-level seed within the region;
• identifying a first-level airway within the region based on the first-level seed;
• identifying a second-level airway within the region based on the first-level airway, wherein the identifying a second-level airway includes:
• defining a second-level seed based on the first-level airway;
• identifying a voxel set based on a level set method and the second-level seed;
• and
• selecting a voxel from the voxel set;
• determining a second characteristic value of the voxel, wherein the second characteristic value includes an energy function value;
• and
• marking, when the second characteristic value of the voxel is below a fourth threshold, the voxel as part of the second-level airway;
• and
• fusing the first-level airway and the second-level airway to form an airway tree.

A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising executable instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to effectuate a method comprising:

• acquiring a three-dimensional image data set representative of a region including at least one airway, the data set comprising a plurality of voxels;
• identifying a first-level seed within the region;
• identifying a first-level airway within the region based on the first-level seed;
• identifying a second-level airway within the region based on the first-level airway, wherein the identifying a second-level airway includes:
• defining a second-level seed based on the first-level airway;
• identifying a voxel set based on a level set method and the second-level seed;
• and
• selecting a voxel from the voxel set;
• determining a second characteristic value of the voxel, wherein the second characteristic value includes an energy function value;
• and
• marking, when the second characteristic value of the voxel is below a fourth threshold, the voxel as part of the second-level airway;
• and
• fusing the first-level airway and the second-level airway to form an airway tree.