Border detection for medical imaging

Abstract

Methods and systems for detecting a border in a medical image are provided. A boundary is chosen as a connected curve whose tangent is substantially perpendicular to the gradient of the image everywhere along the curve. As an alternative to a tangent, a normal or other border direction may be used. At a given point within the image, the tangent to the boundary and the image gradient direction are orthogonal. Using an initial boundary detection, the boundary associated with the minimum cost or associated with the closest boundary where the boundary tangent and the image gradient directional are orthogonal for locations along the boundary is identified. By refining an initial border location to minimize divergence from the boundary tangent being orthogonal to the image gradient direction or by identifying a border based on the orthogonal relationship, accurate border detection may be provided in ultrasound images as well as other medical images.

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