Cell-Competition Algorithm: A New Segmentation Algorithm for Multiple Objects with Irregular Boundaries in Ultrasound Images
Resource
ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY v.31 n.12 pp.1647-1664
Journal
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
Journal Volume
v.31
Journal Issue
n.12
Pages
1647-1664
Date Issued
2005
Date
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
Segmentation of multiple objects with irregular contours and surrounding sporadic spots is a common practice in ultrasound image analysis. A new region-based approach, called cell-competition algorithm, is proposed for simultaneous segmentation of multiple objects in a sonogram. The algorithm is composed of two essential ideas. One is simultaneous cell-based deformation of regions and the other is cell competition. The cells are generated by two-pass watershed transformations. The cell-competition algorithm has been validated with 13 synthetic images of different contrast-to-noise ratios and 71 breast sonograms. Three assessments have been carried out and the results show that the boundaries derived by the cell-competition algorithm are reasonably comparable to those delineated manually. Moreover, the cell-competition algorithm is robust to the variation of regions-of-interest and a range of thresholds required for the second-pass watershed transformation. The proposed algorithm is also shown to be superior to the region-competition algorithm for both types of images. (E- mail: chung@ntu.edu.tw)
Subjects
Segmentation
Multiple objects
Ultrasound images
Breast lesions
Region competition
Cell competition
SDGs
Other Subjects
Biological organs; Cell culture; Cells; Image analysis; Image segmentation; Ultrasonics; Breast lesions; Cell competition; Multiple objects; Region competition; Segmentation; Ultrasound images; Watershed transforms; Algorithms; algorithm; article; breast; comparative study; echography; image analysis; image display; imaging system; priority journal; Algorithms; Breast Diseases; Female; Humans; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; Ultrasonography; Ultrasonography, Mammary