Genetic Model-Based Segmentation of Chest X-Ray Images Using Free Form Deformations

A method is proposed to segment digital posterior-anterior chest X-ray images. The segmentation is achieved through the registration of a deformable prior model, describing the anatomical structures of interest, to the X-ray image. The deformation of the model is performed using a deformation grid. A coarse matching of the model is done using anatomical landmarks automatically extracted from the image, and maps of oriented edges are used to guide the deformation process, optimized with a probabilistic genetic algorithm. The method is applied to extract the ribcage and delineate the mediastinum and diaphragms. The segmentation is needed for defining the lungs region, used in computer-aided diagnosis systems.

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