Systems and methods for generating anatomic tree structures using backward pathway growth

A method comprising:

• receiving anatomic image data comprising a plurality of graphical units;
• generating an initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units associated with an anatomic tree structure;
• receiving a first indication of a first user selected graphical unit from the plurality of graphical units and a second indication of a second user selected graphical unit from the plurality of graphical units, the first and second user selected graphical units being outside the initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units;
• and
• applying a cost function to determine a path between the first and second user selected graphical units and the initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units.

A system for modeling an anatomic tree structure, the system comprising:

• a display system;
• and
• a control system communicatively coupled to the display system, wherein the control system is configured to:
• receive anatomic image data comprising a plurality of graphical units;
• generate an initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units associated with an anatomic tree structure;
• receive a first indication of a first user selected graphical unit from the plurality of graphical units and a second indication of a second user selected graphical unit from the plurality of graphical units, the first and second user selected graphical units being outside the initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units;
• and
• apply a cost function to determine a path between the first and second user selected graphical units and the initial segmented set of the plurality of graphical units.