Penalized-Distance Volumetric Skeleton Algorithm

Introduces a refined general definition of a skeleton that is based on a penalized distance function and that cannot create any of the degenerate cases of the earlier CEASAR (Center-line Extraction Algorithm-Smooth, Accurate and Robust) and TEASAR (Tree-structure Extraction Algorithm for Skeletons-Accurate and Robust) algorithms. Additionally, we provide an algorithm that finds the skeleton accurately and rapidly. Our solution is fully automatic, which frees the user from having to engage in manual data pre-processing. We present the accurate skeletons computed on a number of test data sets. The algorithm is very efficient, as demonstrated by the running times, which were all below seven minutes.

[1]  Jun-ichiro Toriwaki,et al.  New algorithms for euclidean distance transformation of an n-dimensional digitized picture with applications , 1994, Pattern Recognit..

[2]  Arthur W. Toga,et al.  Efficient Skeletonization of Volumetric Objects , 1999, IEEE Trans. Vis. Comput. Graph..

[3]  Mie Sato,et al.  CEASAR: a smooth, accurate and robust centerline extraction algorithm , 2000, IEEE Visualization.

[4]  Mie Sato,et al.  3D digital cleansing using segmentation rays , 2000, Proceedings Visualization 2000. VIS 2000 (Cat. No.00CH37145).

[5]  Mie Sato,et al.  CEASAR: a smooth, accurate and robust centerline extraction algorithm , 2000, Proceedings Visualization 2000. VIS 2000 (Cat. No.00CH37145).

[6]  Arie Kaufman,et al.  Volume Visualization (Tutorial) , 1991 .

[7]  Edsger W. Dijkstra,et al.  A note on two problems in connexion with graphs , 1959, Numerische Mathematik.

[8]  Les A. Piegl,et al.  The NURBS Book , 1995, Monographs in Visual Communication.

[9]  Dirk Bartz,et al.  Virtual voyage: interactive navigation in the human colon , 1997, SIGGRAPH.

[10]  M Fiebich,et al.  Automated calculation of the centerline of the human colon on CT images. , 1999, Academic radiology.

[11]  David R. Stelts,et al.  Computing the centerline of a colon: a robust and efficient method based on 3D skeletons. , 1999, Journal of computer assisted tomography.

[12]  Yaorong Ge,et al.  3D Skeleton for Virtual Colonoscopy , 1996, VBC.

[13]  Arie E. Kaufman.  Volume visualization , 1996, CSUR.

[14]  G Wang,et al.  Spiral computed tomographic colonography: determination of the central axis and digital unraveling of the colon. , 1997, Academic radiology.

[15]  G. G. Stokes.  "J." , 1890, The New Yale Book of Quotations.

[16]  Mie Sato,et al.  3D digital cleansing using segmentation rays , 2000 .

[17]  Bin Li,et al.  Tree-branch-searching multiresolution approach to skeletonization for virtual endoscopy , 2000, Medical Imaging: Image Processing.

[18]  D S Paik,et al.  Automated flight path planning for virtual endoscopy. , 1998, Medical physics.

[19]  Masayuki Nakajima,et al.  TEASAR: tree-structure extraction algorithm for accurate and robust skeletons , 2000, Proceedings the Eighth Pacific Conference on Computer Graphics and Applications.

[20]  T. Pavlidis.  A thinning algorithm for discrete binary images , 1980 .

[21]  Arie E. Kaufman,et al.  Collision detection for volumetric objects , 1997 .

[22]  Fujio Yamaguchi,et al.  Curves and Surfaces in Computer Aided Geometric Design , 1988, Springer Berlin Heidelberg.