Method and system for optimal determination of vessel branches for target coverage with minimum exposure to healthy tissues

A system, comprising:

• a model-based vessel centerline constructor implemented by a processor and configured for:
• receiving a three-dimensional (3D) image with voxels capturing an organ with target and non-target regions and one or more blood vessels therein,
• generating a centerline representation with a plurality of centerline points representing the one or more blood vessels;
• and
• a supplying vessel branch determiner implemented by a processor and configured for:
• identifying, from the centerline representation, at least one supplying centerline segment, each of which includes multiple connected supplying centerline points and represents a supplying vessel among the one or more blood vessels, and
• selecting an optimal set of supplying vessels that satisfy a specified coverage to the target region with a least coverage to the non-target region.

A machine-readable and non-transitory medium having information recorded thereon, wherein the information, when read by the machine, causes the machine to perform the following steps:

• receiving a three-dimensional (3D) image with voxels capturing an organ with target and non-target regions and one or more blood vessels therein;
• generating a centerline representation with a plurality of centerline points representing the one or more blood vessels;
• identifying, from the centerline representation, at least one supplying centerline segment, each of which includes multiple connected supplying centerline points and represents a supplying vessel among the one or more blood vessels;
• and
• selecting an optimal set of supplying vessels that satisfy a specified coverage to the target region with a least coverage to the non-target region.